UCSI University’s Faculty of Applied Sciences strives to provide smarter solutions for a smarter planet through constant research.
THE aspect of science, technology and innovation is much needed to address various first-world problems through solutions such as development of genetic engineering, pharmacology and fermentation technology.
From researching local herbs to treating cancer, using jellyfish toxins as therapeutic solutions and adopting agricultural biotechnology to end world hunger, the application of science is needed in every aspect of life to create a sustainable environment.
The world is surrounded by technology and the products of science every day. Even public policy decisions stem from scientific evidence. The need to be scientifically literate to succeed has become inevitable.
A case in point would be the way some nations have handled the Covid-19 pandemic.
Finding solutions to advance the life of mankind is a necessity and must be a perpetual effort to ensure that new scientific solutions are made available to address the many challenges that prevail today or may prevail tomorrow.
UCSI University’s Faculty of Applied Sciences (FOAS) aims to provide smarter solutions for a smarter planet.
At FOAS, students and staff drive innovation daily through various scientific research. The dynamic culture of scientific discovery is driven by the faculty’s goal to develop effective biology-based technology for application in everyday life.
Nothing is ever taken for granted and each conjecture is thoroughly debated, assessed, tested and refined. The faculty has made great strides in drug discovery, food and water safety, greater crop yield and the cure of diseases, among others.
Research is a central theme at the faculty as most of the academics are experienced and have a proven academic track record, with over 85% of them having a PhD.
More than 80% of the lecturers have also obtained the Postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Teaching to ensure that the lessons delivered are engaging and effective.
On top of that, over 40% of lecturers or guest speakers are appointed industry consultants, giving students the right exposure to life beyond classrooms.
FOAS’ lecturers are actively involved in publishing their work in international research journals while being fully committed to supervising their students.
Many have worked overseas at leading companies, top research facilities and world-class universities, thus making them invaluable assets in serving as the right launchpad to propel global careers for UCSI’s students.
Research at Harvard
Faculty of Applied Sciences student Phua was over the moon when he received the offer to advance research at Harvard
When Joel Phua began his research with Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard University hospital, in late 2019, he was over the moon because it was an opportunity of a lifetime to visit and study at the prestigious institution.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic hampered his chances of travelling. Despite such a predicament, the FOAS’ alumnus completed his computational genetics work from Malaysia.
His genomics project involved identifying genetic changes from treatment of clinical depression using alternative treatments.
He was mentored by Dr Simmie Foster and Dr Kumar Veerapen.
Dr Kumar who is also an alumnus of FOAS, is a research fellow at the Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and a community engagement manager at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.
Through the Star Trek programme at UCSI, students at FOAS are also selected to advance high-impact research at Yale University.
100% employability score
Five out of the six programmes offered at FOAS achieved a 100% graduate employability score in the Ministry of Higher Education’s Graduate Employability 2020 survey.
Cumulatively, 84 of the 87 UCSI’s programmes listed in the survey received a 100% employability score. On average, all 87 programmes scored 99.8% in the survey.
For more information, visit UCSI University’s eEnrolment Day from Aug 26-31 at www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my or call 03-9101 8882 or 011-3592 0893.
