< PreviousWOW News 40Asia & Oceania Japan - Researchers at Hiroshima University used genetically engineered mice to show the severity and progression of kidney disease and recovery during treatment in a new paper published in Scientific Reports in October 2019. In 2016, the research team consisting of Associate Professor Noriyuki Yanaka and Assistant Professor Kumrungsee developed a non-invasive method for monitoring obesity-caused inflammation to reduce the number of mice killed during experimentation. “They are the closest things to us. We cannot see the real effects that chemicals have on our bodies in tubes. If we cannot stop using [animals], we should do what we can to reduce the number of them used in testing,” said Assistant Professor Kumrungsee. The mice were engineered with a light-emitting gene that glowed when a protein was present at high levels. This protein, Saa3, is produced in high amounts during inflammation or injury, making it a useful biomarker of disease. Genetically modified mice can show which functional foods can heal kidney disease Chronic kidney disease affects 750 million people each year. Aging populations and an increase in diseases such as diabetes will lead to a greater burden of kidney disease. In the present study, to monitor disease progression and therapy, Professor Yanaka’s team fed mice a high-adenine diet that would result in kidney disease. The high levels of adenine caused crystals, like kidney stones, to develop, leading to inflammation and increased levels of Saa3. The mice emitted light from their kidneys when under these injury conditions. The team proposed this model was a useful tool for monitoring kidney disease progression and therapeutic agent screening. The researchers then screened possible treatment options and observed a promising chemical found in citrus fruit, glucosyl hesperidin (G-Hes). After treating mice with G-Hes for three days and feeding them the adenine diet for 3 weeks, researchers observed a decrease in the amount of inflammation seen in kidneys which was confirmed through a blood test. Using this engineered mouse, Visualization of kidney disease and therapy by the citrus fruit-derived compound treatment. The genetically engineered mice were anesthetized and put in a prone position under an imaging system machine that allowed us to visualize severity of kidney disease in live animals. Severe kidney disease was clearly seen as a strong light signal from the picture in the center. Treatment with G-Hes showed a decrease in kidney injury and thus a weaker light signal. Credit: Associate Professor Noriyuki Yanaka and Assistant Professor Thanutchaporn Kumrungsee the team was able to observe the kidneys between one to three weeks into the diet and treatment reducing the number of mice required for experiments. In the future, the team would like to perform drug screening by using this model to prevent kidney disease in the early stages. Artificial Intelligence Center in Tunghai University Taiwan - Tunghai University signed an Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Framework Agreement with the DDS Institute of Advanced Education to see the establishment of a new center dedicated to the technology. Under this agreement, an initial fund of 72 million new Taiwan dollars was secured for the development of the AI project. Through the project, accelerated AI momentum will be implemented in all departmental curricula to equip Tunghai students with AI+ and Industry+ capabilities. President Mao-Jiun Wang thanked DDS Institute for its generous financial support which will assist Tunghai University build up essential facilities for AI development. The creation of this center will not only benefit the education at Tunghai, but will also bring impact to the industry and beyond central Taiwan. DDS Chair Ching-Ho Cheng said that the DDS Institute was established in 2015 by Tunghai alumni with the purpose of supporting the development of the university. It is a think tank which promotes consensus through communication to create new ideas for a better Tunghai. Chair Cheng believes that developing AI technology will be essential for Tunghai to stay in the competitive edge of the future AI era. The Dean of Student Affairs and director of AI Center Wen-Tsung Lo thanked everyone for making the preparation of the center highly efficient. The three-year agreement will guarantee educational innovation to bring forth industrial upgrade and transformation. The AI project has thus far funded 17 proposals in eight departments and will connect over 30 faculty members to the industry. AI Experience Center (The Ring) in Tunghai University The AI Experience Center (The Ring) is designed by President Mao-Jiun Wang and Director of Digital Innovation Program Chung-HsinJwo to provide students with a channel to better understand the application of AI through personal experiences. The Ring Hall - the first of its kind at Tunghai University - is an education center for the AI experience field combining multi-disciplinary expertise. Advanced AI and interactive design are introduced without changing the original architecture. On the exterior wall, 924 LED light bricks are paved to create different light effects. The light wall will be a canvas for computational aesthetics creation. Inside The Ring, AI virtual assistants and an immersive image projecting system are integrated to provide immersive AI experience. Virtual assistant Little Tung will guide visitors to tour around the beautiful campus of Tunghai University, while Little Hai realizes smart manufacturing by digital and visualization technologies. With perfect combination of artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, and user experience, an innovative university of excellence with cross-disciplinary expertise will equip Tunghai students with core AI competence to meet future challenges. Hosts and guests at the opening ceremony of AI CenterWOW News 41Asia & Oceania Kazakhstan - On 6 December 2019, the Kazakh National Agrarian University held the IV International Agrotechnological Summit, themed Development of the agro-industrial complex on the basis of scientific achievements and digital technologies. The purpose of the summit was to promote innovative development of the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan. The summit covered topical issues of agro-industrial complex development based on scientific achievements and digital technologies. The international Agrotechnological Summit is the best dialogue platform for the close integration of agricultural science, education and production. The first Central Asian Agrotechnological Summit was held in 2016 for the purpose of increasing labor productivity in the agricultural sector through the transfer of new knowledge and innovative technologies. The IV International Agrotechnological Summit was attended by leaders and experts from the UN, G-Global, Asian Development Bank, scientists and experts from leading foreign universities and research centers from more than 30 countries including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Eastern Finland, Germany, Israel, Italy, China, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Malaysia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, USA, Turkey, Oman, France, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea and the CIS countries. The summit covered a wide range of agribusiness topics including the introduction of innovative technologies in agribusiness, land, water, labor resources management, food security, Halal production, increased pasture productivity, digitalization, diversification of agricultural sectors, the development of dairy and beef cattle breeding; introduction of new financial instruments for state support of agribusiness, greenhouse farming, and problems of agricultural cooperation and increasing the export potential of agribusiness. The summit also hosted the International Forum, Dialogue of Young Scientists, dedicated to the Year of Youth in Kazakhstan. The youth forum was held with the support of the Foundation of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Elbasy, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Council of Young Scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The forum was attended by young scientists from countries near and far abroad. The forum program included reports by young scientists on digitalization of agriculture, agro engineering, agricultural resource management, topical issues in the development of crop production and animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, food and food safety, economics, aquaculture. The forum provided opportunities for the formation of new, successful scientific groups, the involvement of young people in the field of research and development, the expansion and strengthening of scientific and technological ties of the scientific community, and discussions on innovative research. IV International Agrotechnological Summit at KazNAU Russian Federation - A team of scientists from Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) identified a new class of human genes expressed in tumors - tumor specifically expressed, evolutionarily novel (TSEEN) genes. The finding confirmed the team’s earlier theory about the evolutionary role of neoplasms. A report on the study was published in Scientific Reports. A tumor is a pathological new growth of tissues. Due to genetic changes, it has impaired cellular regulation and therefore defective functionality. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Unlike the latter, the former grows slowly, do not metastasize, and are easy to remove. Malignant tumors (cancer) are one of the primary mortality factors in the world. “The evolutionary role of these genes is to provide genetic material for the origin of new progressive characteristics. TSEEN genes are expressed in many neoplasms and therefore can be excellent tumor markers,” said Professor Andrei Kozlov, a PhD in Biology, the head of Laboratory Molecular Virology and Oncology at SPbPU. The new research confirmed a theory proposed by Professor Kozlov that the number of oncogenes in a human body should correspond to the number of differential cell types. The theory also suggested the evolution of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and the genes that determine cell differentiation occur concurrently. The theory was based on the hypothesis of evolution through tumor neofunctionalization, according to which hereditary neoplasms might have played an important role during the early stages of metazoan evolution by providing additional cell masses for the origin of new cell types, tissues, and organs. Evolutionarily novel genes that originated in the DNA of germ cells were expressed in these extra cells. Professor Kozlov also referred to the recently published article by his research team, “Evolutionarily Novel Genes Are Involved in Development of Progressive Traits in Humans” (2019). The team confirmed their hypothesis using transgenic fish tumors and fish evolutionarily novel genes. The orthologs of such genes were found in the human genome, but in humans they played a role in the development of progressive characteristics not encountered in fish, such as lungs, breasts, placenta, and ventricular septum in the heart. This confirmed the hypothesis on the evolutionary role of tumors. The studies referred to in the article lasted for several years and their participants used a wide range of methods from the fields of bioinformatics and molecular biology. “Our work is of great social importance, as the cancer problem has yet to be resolved. Our theory suggests new prevention and therapy strategies,” said Professor Kozlov. He added, to fight cancer, a new paradigm should be developed in oncology. TSEEN genes may be used to create new cancer test systems and antitumor vaccines. Evolutionarily novel genes work in tumorsWOW News 42Asia & Oceania Scientists of NUST MISIS find a way to improve the efficiency of chemotherapy Russian Federation - Scientists from the National University of Science and Technology MISiS (NUST MISIS) successfully developed a method that could significantly increase the susceptibility of cancer cells to antitumor drugs containing doxorubicin. The results were published in nanomaterials. Antitumor drugs containing doxorubicin are some of the most widely used in the world for the treatment of leukemia, muscle cancer, sarcoma and several other malignancies. Doxorubicin does not have a directed action. Therefore, when it enters the bloodstream it actively binds to various compounds and is well absorbed by both cancer and normal cells. This means that large dosages are required to achieve the desired effect. Additionally, the absence of direct cancer-target action is harmful to healthy cells. In 2017, a team of scientists from NUST MISIS together with colleagues from N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology conducted a series of experiments on the binding of doxorubicin with biocompatible boron nitride nanoparticles, which perfectly bind with the drug due to a similar molecular structure. In vitro experiments were positive: the nanoparticles effectively delivered doxorubicin to cells and released the drug after entering the cell thereby blocking the breakdown of doxorubicin in the bloodstream until the drug reached the cells, decreasing the therapeutic dosage of the drug. However, it was still necessary to “force” cancer cells to absorb the drug to prevent healthy cells from also absorbing it. Scientists from NUST MISIS found a way to “pack” doxorubicin so that its action was directed. The resulting method was based on the structural features of cancer cells: they divide extremely actively and to obtain more nutrition, a huge number of folic acid receptors are located on their surface. Folic acid, better known as Vitamin B9, is necessary for the growth and development of the circulatory and immune systems. “Compared to healthy cells, there are about a thousand times more folic acid receptors on the surface of cancer cells. Therefore, in our new study, we combined the properties of boron nitride and folic acid. We covalently attached folic acid to the nanoparticles before doping this delivery system with doxorubicin” said Elizaveta Permyakova researcher at NUST MISIS laboratory for Inorganic Nanomaterials and one of the study’s authors. The quality of loading nanoparticles with the drug was evaluated by spectrophotometry: the active substance doxorubicin itself is a water- soluble compound of bright red color. Consequently, the aqueous solution of doxorubicin also had a saturated red color. After adding boron nitride nanoparticles associated with folic acid to this solution, all doxorubicin bound with the particles and the solution became transparent again. The use of this delivery system will reduce nonspecific interactions of doxorubicin and presumably increase the punctuality of drug delivery to cancer cells. At present, to confirm the therapeutic activity, a series of in vitro experiments are conducted at the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology using different cultures of human cancer cells. Taipei Tech alumna Dr Margaret M. Wu elected NAE member welcoming its newly-elected members. Dr Margaret M. Wu, Taipei Tech alumna and retired Senior Scientific Adviser of ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, was among the new members elected for her contribution in synthetic lubricants. Wu graduated from Taipei Tech with a degree in chemical engineering in 1970 and earned her PhD from the University of Rochester in 1976. She had worked in American Cyanamid Company prior to joining Mobil Chemical, where she did research in petrochemistry. In 2002, she was promoted to Senior Scientific Adviser in ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company. A Senior Scientific Adviser is the highest-ranking researcher in the company, and Wu was the first woman to earn this title. One of Wu’s major pieces of commercialized research was the synthetic material trademarked as SuperSyn, used to produce the world- famous Mobil 1 motor oil. This oil takes advantage of the patented anti-friction and anti-wear technology in SuperSyn to protect engines and reduce fuel consumption in both high- and low-temperature environments. This consequently reduces gasoline consumption and exhaust. Wu truly appreciates the solid technical education and training that Taipei Tech provides. She said, “Our instructors have rich experience in the industry which is not common in every university.” Wu recalled a time when an engineer from Taiwan Sugar Corporation conducted a lecture, in which he pointed out the importance of critical thinking and applying the knowledge learned in textbooks to solve problems. “I find the engineering training acquired at Taipei Tech valuable particularly when I am required to solve petrochemical and petroleum refining issues.” Taiwan - On 6 October 2019, The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) of the US hosted its 2019 Annual Meeting, WOW News 43Asia & Oceania Russian Federation - The world scientific community is waging a difficult and prolonged war on cancer. New research in the field of immunogenic cell death (ICD) can extend the area of drugs application and prevent relapse after therapy. Doctors aim to not only provide cancer treatments such as the removal of tumor cells and chemotherapy; but also help prevent tumor cells from proliferating and triggering a new disease. Scientists at the Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod and the University of Ghent (Belgium) have been engaged in research for years with the aim of minimizing harm done to the body due to cancer treatment; and are searching for alternatives to treating cancer patients. The project is supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation and headed by Dmitry Krys’ko, leading researcher of the Lobachevsky University’s Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, professor at Ghent University, has yielded its first major results. According to Professor Krys’ko, the existing anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy) causes great damage to the body even though the research is aimed at the stimulation Jordan - A team of researchers including Dr Hikmat Hadoush, Dr Maha Alafeef, and Dr Enas Abdulhay of Jordan University of Science & Technology (JUST) has proposed a new method based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD), second-order difference plotting (SODP) introduced and applied to analyze the of ICD, which not only minimizes damage, but also enhances the efficacy of treatment by involving the body’s resources in the fight against cancer. “In this study, we tested some drugs for anticancer therapy based on photodynamic treatment and investigated their new immunogenic properties. Results have shown that not only does the external impact will be used to fight cancer; but also, the body itself will engage in the fight by triggering reactions of the adaptive immune response. The concept of ICD includes a programmed death of cancer cells with subsequent release of molecules that give a danger signal to the immune system. Therefore, we tested drugs that are already used in cancer therapy and enhanced the action of these agents,” said Professor Krys’ko. The study employed various methods and approaches that were used in vitro and in vivo experiments. At the laboratories of Lobachevsky University and the University of Ghent, researchers studied how substances accumulate in the cell, analyzed cell death types when cells were exposed to photosensitizers, and revealed molecular mechanisms of the phenomena that occur to the cells in the process of their death. The researchers also examined additional nonlinear and nonstationary resting- state EEG data recorded for 36 children with mild and severe ASD. Artificial neural network (ANN) was then used to determine the accuracy of this model outcome measures in distinguishing between the two ASD groups. aspects of the use of existing drugs for developing new cancer protocols based on the stimulation of immune system. Such variants of therapy reduce the risk of metastasis and enhance the effectiveness of the patient’s recovery. A series of experiments on laboratory mice was performed, resulting in an important conclusion that the cellular vaccine prepared from dying cancer cells can protect the mouse from cancer by preventing tumor development in the body. Based on the results obtained, the researchers published their article ““Immunogenic cell death induced by a new photodynamic therapy based on Photosens and Photodithazine” in the BMC Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (with the impact factor of 8.67), which describes new variants of photosensitizers that cause ICD of cancer cells. JUST researchers propose a new method for automated identification for autism severity level Scientists find a new use for already known anti-cancer drugs Several EMD and SODP outcome measures were obtained from the children EEG data including intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) features, SODP patterns, elliptical area, and central tendency measure (CTM) values. Results showed children with severe ASD showed smaller, less twitches and oscillation of IMFs features, more stochastic SODP plotting, less CTM values, and higher ellipse area values as compared to children with mild ASD, which indicated greater EEG variabilities and their greater inability to suppress their improper behavior. In addition, the Artificial Neuronal Network (ANN) ended with model sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 94.7%, respectively; and 97.2% overall accuracy of distinguishing between ASD groups. In conclusion, this study introduced a new EMD model application that can serve as a promising and sensitive automated diagnostic tool to distinguish between and identify the ASD severity levels in children with ASD.WOW News 44Asia & Oceania Nikolay Nikonorov, an ITMO University Professor, hopes that an innovative antibacterial smartphone coating he and his colleagues developed could also be used for a variety of medical purposes Russian researchers demonstrate a new material for smartphone screens with possible medical applications Russian Federation - A research group from St Petersburg, Russia, which included ITMO University specialists, demonstrated a new transparent material that can be applied to screens of portable electronic devices. The self- cleaning material can destroy all disease- causing bacteria on its surface and has possible applications in medicine. Major electronics companies have been working on a way to “teach” smartphones to fight bacteria for several years. Two of the ideas suggested were antibacterial components added into the glass screen and applying antiseptic polymer covers. Introducing antibacterial components into the glass itself, however, was an expensive process, while polymer- based covers were easily damaged and degraded with time. ITMO University’s scientists developed a transparent bactericidal material based on light metal oxides. “We created our first coatings using zinc and tin oxides. We have demonstrated how the chemical compounds of the coating could be optimized to make it appear transparent and stick onto the screen that it is applied to for good,” explained Sergey Evstropiev, a PhD in Chemistry and a senior researcher at ITMO University. One of the key advantages of the coating, apart from its bactericidal qualities, is its relatively low price and easy production. According to the researchers, the technology behind creating the coating and applying it to protective screens of portable electronic devices is simple and easily introduced by any enterprise. The thickness of the coating is only 200-300 nanometers. The secret to its durability and transparency is in the special organic additives that are introduced during synthesis. They make the coating spread evenly over the target material. These organic compounds evaporate over the necessary heat-treatment without producing any toxic substances. The innovative coating is also highly resistant, making it capable of serving as an anti-scratching surface for smartphones. The material is also capable of cleaning itself: when light hits, a chemically active oxygen is emitted which decomposes any organic compounds on the coating - such as bacteria, sweat or fingerprints. This quality makes it potentially applicable in medicine. “We have started collaborating with Vavilov State Optical Institute on medical fiberscope modification,” commented Nikolay Nikonorov, an ITMO University professor. “Fiberscopes that are introduced inside the patient’s body to inspect their organs are widely used in medicine. In our experiments, we apply our coating to the end of the fiberscope which enables us to transport chemically active oxygen to cancer cells, thus destroying them. Previously, we were only equipped with binoculars or a flexible fiber scope. But now we have combined this scope with a machine-gun and will only have to switch the LED from white light to UV radiation.” The researchers also suggested various scenarios in which the material can be used in its powder form. For example, it could be added to paints applied in children’s centers or hospitals enabling the surface to clean itself. Indonesia - Professor Dr Sri Sumarmi, S.KM., M.Si., known well as Professor Mamik, from the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), was recently inaugurated as professor on 14 December 2019. The 13th FKM professor was the first researcher in Indonesia to study the benefits of preconception interventions with micronutrients. Micronutrients are nutrients needed by the human body in small amounts consisting of vitamins and minerals. Professor Mamik shared that there are currently only five researchers focusing on the preconception intervention using micronutrients, with the individuals being responsible for different aspects of the project. At present, Professor Mamik is focusing on the hormonal and micronutrient aspects; while the others are studying on the molecular aspects and other aspects. Since 1999, Professor Mamik has been conducting research related to Prof. Mamik becomes first Indonesian researcher to conduct micronutrient intervention before pregnancy Professor Dr Sri Sumarmi, S.KM., M.Si. speaks in her professorship inauguration on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Garuda Mukti Hall, UNAIR Management Office Campus C. (Photo: M. Alif Fauzan) preconception intervention using micronutrients. Her research was carried out in Central Java using micronutrients in the form of zinc. The purpose of the study was to examine the difference between pregnant women who were only given blood booster tablets and pregnant women who received blood booster and zinc tablets. “In 1999, I had provided an intervention with a micronutrient through the use of zinc,” she said. Professor Mamik added the preconception intervention using micronutrients was a step to prevent nutritional problems in the future such as the prevention of babies born with low weight and other pregnancy complications such as neonatal stunting, eclampsia, miscarriage. WOW News 47Asia & Oceania Thailand - Silpakorn University has announced two projects in collaboration with the University of Applied Arts Vienna’s Institute of Conservation, Austria, to conserve Thailand’s art and design. The projects, which include the creation of an International Art Conservation Centre and the development of a degree in cultural heritage conservation and management, will continue Silpakorn University’s long and rich history in art and design, boasting many of Thailand’s leading artists and designers among its alumni. “Art is of great value to many South East Asian nations but unfortunately due to a variety of factors, the conditions of many cultural artefacts have deteriorated. This is mainly due to human actions, whether intentionally or unintentionally; but they include neglect, touching, poor maintenance and restoration methods, damage by time and weather, geological changes or various disasters,” said President of Silpakorn University, Assistant Professor Chaicharn Thavarevej. “Therefore, the national cultural heritage conservation is necessary to maintain national arts in South East Asia, which Silpakorn University is trying to help address. Silpakorn provides a wide-range of disciplines that can help integrate the conservation of fine arts and produce expertise in manpower.” In 1995, Silpakorn signed a collaborative MOU with Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, which was later updated in 2018 to include all aspects of art conservation. Additionally, Silpakorn signed an agreement with Austria’s Institute of Conservation, University of Applied Arts Vienna, a specialist in fine arts conservation which currently holds the UNESCO Chair on Conservation and Preservation of Tangible Cultural Heritage, the first university to do so. This collaboration has now led to the creation of an International Art Conservation Centre at Silpakorn University’s Bangrak campus in central Bangkok. “The center will support conservation- related activities and be a focal point of learning across South East Asia. The center will also help to further internationalize Silpakorn University. Specialists from Vienna and Silpakorn said they were honored to work on the conservation of two significant paintings; Light and Shadow 4 by Professor Preecha Thouthong and Sukhothai Chedi by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and presented to M.C. Subhadradis Diskul. Currently, art conservators Daria Lovrek and Yanisa Thongchay are restoring a portrait painting of HRH Prince Damrong Rajanubhab by the artist Chamras Khietkong (1916-1966). The portrait is owned by the Faculty of Archaeology, Silpakorn University. The center is ready to repair any damaged paintings from around the region that collectors would like restored or conserved. As well as collaborating on art restoration, Silpakorn University announced it was developing a degree program in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management with the University of Applied Arts, to start at the end of 2020. “This will be the first joint master’s degree program in Asia of its kind and gives students the opportunity to practice in Vienna during the second year, as well as joining cultural heritage excursions. Students from the University of Applied Arts Vienna will also practice in Bangkok and have intercultural workshops,” said Assistant Professor Dr Sompid Kattiyapikul, dean of Silpakorn University International College (SUIC) and acting director of the center. International Art Conservation Centre at Silpakorn University, Bangkok Malaysia - A research on complex smart system by a local academician from UKM is thriving in Dubai. The man behind the success is Associate Professor Dr Mohamad Hanif Saad, who started the project in 2011 as his PhD project. CAISER is now widely used by the Perbadanan Putrajaya ICT. SONAR, a development system in Putrajaya, is connected to more than 350 network-related systems. It monitors the operations of Perbadanan Putrajaya’s main network and provides alerts and notifications to the technical teams when the computer network is in trouble or is expected to encounter any problems so that early corrective actions can be taken. CAISER technology now crosses Dubai CAISER is a platform technology that creates a smart system using Complex Event Processing (CEP). CAISER has three main components, namely data acquisition from the environment, detectors and event processors, and implementing mitigation actions. Among other adapters are surveillance robot adapters, smart CCTV adapters, RTU adapters, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) adapters, and communication adapters via Telegram. Other features of CAISER RTU include environmental monitoring which cover temperature and humidity making it a well sought-after component in the industry. “It is now widely used in several locations of Dubai through the development and marketing efforts of our industry partner, Enomatriks Solution Sdn Bhd. Also, with the help of Enomatriks Solutions Sdn Bhd’s talented engineers and programmers, CAISER technology has been successfully refined and expanded internationally to match other technologies in the market,” explained Dr Mohamad Hanif Saad. CAISER technology now crosses DubaiWOW News 48Asia & Oceania Pakistan - A start-up from The Catalyst GIK Incubator, Greenovation, secured second place at the Top Ten Innovators of Shell LiveWIRE 2019 under the Sustainable Future category. The team also won US$10,000. Shell LiveWIRE is a global competition which highlights and rewards businesses that demonstrate excellence in innovation as well as giving entrepreneurs a chance to shine on a global platform. In 2019, Shell LiveWIRE partnered with Shell Global Commercial, which supplies lubricants, aviation fuels, bitumen, sulphur and related services to one million business customers in 150 markets, to deliver a competition focused on the circular economy. Shell aims to reward entrepreneurs who help move the world away from the linear economy model - taking, using, and disposing of products - towards an economy that designs waste out of the system. The winners faced stiff competition with Shell receiving 98 applications from 19 countries around the world. A total of 21 finalists had to compete in a public vote which garnered over 18,000 votes from 144 countries. Greenovation is a waste management and recycling start-up that transforms plastic waste into liquefied petroleum gas. The start-up was part of The Catalyst GIK Incubator’s 5th Cohort. Greenovation also received a grant from Directorate of Science and Technology Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa worth PKR800,000, for setting up a pilot plant in Peshawar. The plant has been installed and is undergoing testing before it can be formally inaugurated. Finally, the rector of GIK congratulated the team for representing Pakistan at global stage and winning among the best ideas from across the world. GIK start-up among the Top Ten Innovators at Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia - UCSI University recently hosted the mySENI 2019 painting competition to encourage students in expressing their ideals of going green to ensure a sustainable, prosperous and equitable future. The campaign, themed ““Green City”, was held in accordance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), at UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur Campus. A total of 40 finalists were shortlisted in the long annual campaign, with Jeannie Tew winning the grand prize of RM10,000 in UCSI Bursary, RM2,000 in cash, and a certificate of participation. “I felt incredible to be receiving recognition in a competition of this scale. It is definitely a big encouragement for my artwork to be recognized by professionals,” said the 18-year-old from Hin Hua High School, Klang. Prizes were also given to the first runner-up, second runner-up and five other consolation prize winners. Each winner walked home with bursaries and scholarships from UCSI as well as cash prizes from the event partner, Guocoland. UCSI allocated a total of RM735,000 in bursaries and scholarships for the event. The ceremony was attended by former Director-General of National Art Galley Malaysia Dato’ Mohd Yusof Ahmad, UCSI Group Corporate Affairs Vice President Leong Sat Sing and De Institute of Creative Arts and Design (ICAD) Director, Assistant Professor Dr Khairul Azril Ismail. Mohd Yusof described the event as a meaningful competition that acknowledged the artistic talents of the younger generation, especially in articulating their ideas and ideals of the country. “I am hopeful that amongst all the young talents here today, we have those who will put Malaysia on the world map through their creative talents. Congratulations to UCSI and ICAD for going a step further in shaping the minds of the younger generation and future leaders through education,” he added. Chairperson of mySENI competition, Lucas Lim, said that the mySENI 2020 Painting Competition, entitled “Malaysian Landscape”, helped place emphasis on the country’s beauty. “I am hoping for these young artists to share their creative and extravagant ideas in promoting Malaysia as a tourist attraction destination in the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign,” he said. Besides Hin Hua High School, other participating schools were Keat Hwa Private High School, Kedah, SMK Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, SMJK San Min, Perak, SMK Arau, Perlis, SMJK Katholik, Selangor and Chung Hwa High School, Muar, Johor. Supporting the UNSDGs, UCSI is the only private university in Malaysia to be recognized as the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) organizing the Green Campaign in June 2019 in conjunction with the World Environment Day which was launched by KL City Mayor, Dato’ Nor Hisham Ahmad bin A Dahlan. Some notable events organized by RCE Kuching and UCSI University Sarawak campus were Beach Clean-up at the Damai Central area with a collection of 58 kg of waste, in line with the International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) Day, Sarawak River Art Competition 2019 and a 2-year 5Rs campaign (Reduce, Refuse, Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose). UCSI’s painting competition encourages creative expression among youth Group photo of mySENI 2019 Painting Competition Awards Ceremony and Guest of Honour Dato’ Mohd Yusof Ahmad (seventh from right) and director of ICAD, Assistant Professor Dr Khairul Azril Ismail (sixth from left) with some of the participants GIK start-up among the Top Ten Innovators at Shell LiveWIRENext >