The Malaysian Society for Microbiology Postgraduate Symposium 2022 took place virtually on the 10th and 11th of August 2022. The event was co-organized by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan. Under the theme of 'Microbes & Planetary Health: A sustainable Affair', the symposium aimed to explore the intricate relationship between microbes and the well-being of our planet. The symposium was officiated by the esteemed Prof. Dr. Azmi Md. Noor, Campus Director of IIUM Kuantan.
The symposium drew participation from 15 universities, government and private sectors. Through the Zoom platform, attendees were privileged to listen to the exceptional keynote lecture delivered by Prof. Emerita Dato Dr. Asma Ismail, titled "Impact of Microbes in Transforming Research Landscape Post COVID Era". Her insightful talk set the tone for stimulating discussions and knowledge exchange among the participants.
The first plenary session of the second day featured Associate Prof. Dr. Lee Choon Weng from the University of Malaya, who shed light on the profound impact of microbes on environmental changes, particularly in the context of climate change. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Evelyn Doyle from the University College of Dublin shared her research group's pioneering work on omics technologies, revealing exciting findings to the enthusiastic audience during the second plenary session.
The Malaysian Society for Microbiology Postgraduate Symposium (MSMPS) has always served as an exceptional platform for aspiring research students to share their knowledge in the field of microbiology. This year, 30 participants showcased their research findings through oral and E-poster presentations. Miss Izzati Sabri from UPM emerged as the winner of the best oral presentation, earning a cash prize of RM300. Similarly, Miss Vakgesri, also from UPM, received the best E-poster presentation award and a cash prize of RM200. Furthermore, both winners were granted the opportunity to publish their work in the esteemed Journal of Progress in Microbes and Molecular Biology, generously sponsored by H & H Publishers.
Recognizing the unique opportunities and challenges associated with postgraduate studies, a dedicated forum was held during the symposium. The forum featured postgraduate students from various microbiology disciplines who shared their experiences and insights. Although the forum was brief, it encapsulated the essence of postgraduate life, making the most of the journey, learning from the best, and maintaining perseverance. Success awaits those who remain committed.
We look forward to welcoming you to the next MSMPS!
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Figure 1: A snapshot during the postgraduate forum “Postgraduate Challenge and Motivation: A Sharing of Experience”
