Category: Highlights

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Monash Three Minute Thesis and Visualise Your Thesis Final

Written by Prof. Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis. Edited by Sharifah Rose Ee.

On Tuesday, 27 August 2024, I had the pleasure of chairing the judging panel at the 2024 Monash Three Minute Thesis (3MT) and Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) Final—the most exciting night on the graduate research calendar.

Our twelve 3MT finalists were challenged to explain their complex research in only three minutes, and our six VYT finalists showcased a 60-second audio-visual explainer of their thesis. Both competitions provide excellent opportunities for students to practise communicating their research to the general public.

Dr Susan Carland, our wonderful MC, guided us through an inspiring line up of entries from our faculties and campuses, including Monash University Malaysia and the IITB-Monash Research Academy.

Prof. Mike Ryan, Prof. Melissa Miles and Prof. Carla Wilkin joined me on the judging panel, and we had the difficult task of determining the winners among a highly competitive cohort.

I’m pleased to share the winners of the 2024 Monash 3MT and VYT:

3MT

  • Winner – Kushagra Tiwari, IITB-Monash Research Academy, Faculty of Engineering
  • Runner-up – Sophie Armstrong, Faculty of Engineering
  • MGA People’s Choice – Aathira Sujathan Nair, Monash University Malaysia, School of Pharmacy

VYT

Kushagra will proceed to the Virtual Asia-Pacific Competition and Alisdair will represent Monash at the Virtual International VYT Competition, both in October. We wish them all the very best. We will provide further information om the finals over the coming weeks.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported this event, especially Jessica Newnham and Linda Batrich from the Monash Graduate Research Office for bringing everything together.

2024 Monash University 3mt on the 27th of August 2024.
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Monash University Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Finals: Aathira Nair will Proudly Represent our Campus!

Written by Muhammad Shukri Yaakub. Edited by Emily Yap Sin Yee.

On May 21, 2024, MUMGRO hosted the MUM 3MT campus finals to identify a winner who will represent our campus at the Monash University Finals. Seven finalists, one from each school, competed in an intense showdown.

Following thorough deliberation, the judging panel, consisting of Michael Connors, Tridib Saha, Jody Wan, and Janice Wong, unanimously selected Aathira Nair from the School of Pharmacy (SoP) as the competition winner. Additionally, Mohamed Framjee Dinul Hathy from the School of Business (SoB) and Sia Chin Siew from the School of Engineering (SoE) were named the first and second runner-ups, respectively. Notably, Sia Chin Siew also received the prestigious People’s Choice Award, as voted by a crowd of around 100 audience members at the Plenary Theatre. The other finalists included Gwendolyn Bellinger from the School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS), Preetha Rajendiran from the School of Medicine (SoM), Malinda Garusinghe from the School of Science (SoS), and Kang Xiaoxi from the School of Information Technology (SolT).

As a member of the Monash University Malaysia community, I urge you to secure your spot for the live stream of the event starting at 6 PM AEST (4 PM MYT) on August 27, 2024. Let’s come together to show our support for Aathira Nair in this important journey

#mumgro #3MT

Secure your spot for 3MT live stream!

Starting at 6 PM AEST (4 PM MYT) on August 27, 2024

Click Here
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SOS Movie Night

Written by Kulihong Sairebieli & Sharifah Rose Ee

26 July 2024 – 29 students from the School of Science (SoS) got together for a Movie Night at TGV, Sunway Pyramid. Treated to the latest blockbuster, Deadpool & Wolverine, this event fosters a sense of community and engagement among students and staff. By providing a relaxed and enjoyable environment, this event aims to encourage social interaction, networking, and camaraderie. This event also offers a much-needed break from academic pressures, promoting mental well-being and a balanced student life. Additionally, it serves as an opportunity to introduce and highlight upcoming MUPA initiatives, further strengthening the connection between the student body and the organisation.

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MUPA Giveaways: Celebrating 17 Years of MUPA at Monash University Malaysia!

Written by Emily Yap Sin Yee. Edited by Sharifah Rose Ee.

This year marks a significant milestone for Monash University Postgraduate Association (MUPA) as we celebrate our 17th year at Monash University Malaysia. Some of you might have noticed the special significance of the number ‘7’ in our celebrations this year.

    • 7 MUPA Events & Initiatives
      From workshops to social events, to date, we have organized 7 key activities to engage and support our postgraduate community.

    • 7 Types of Monash MUPA Merchandise
      We introduced a diverse range of 7 merchandise, each crafted to represent the spirit and unity of our community.

    • 7 Consolation Prizes of the MUPA Website Banner Competition
      We believe in recognizing effort, and 7 participants received consolation prizes for their commendable entries.

    • 7 Lucky Voters
      Congratulations to the 7 of the 61 voters who cast their votes on the creative designs which now grace our website!

    • 17 Winners in Total
      Including the 3 winners of the banner competition, we celebrated a total of 17 winners, perfectly aligning with our 17th anniversary.

Adding to the magic, we reached 777 followers on Instagram on 7/7/2024!

Expressing our gratitude to your continued support, we initiated this special giveaway. Unlike typical freebies, we wanted to foster a supportive atmosphere where the MUPA family could uplift each other. To qualify for this giveaway, participants had to be followers of our Instagram account, like our post and leave a positive comment or words of encouragement to the MUPA family.

As of 17/7/2024, the giveaway post garnered 36 likes and 26 comments from 25 individuals (one person commented twice). It’s heartwarming to see such engagement and the spread of positivity within our community.

We hope that initiatives like these, along with events such as the MUPA banner competition, allow those abroad to participate and still feel a part of the MUPA community. Your support and involvement make our community stronger, and we look forward to creating more memorable moments together.

 

Thank you for being part of the
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The MUM Inaugural Graduate Research Week

Written by Nur Muzzammil Bt Aziz.

The Graduate Research Week Committee is thrilled to recap of our first-ever four-day event, held from July 1st to 4th. The week kicked off with a captivating keynote address on “Catalysing Change? Research Impact at Monash Malaysia” followed by a plenary discussion with our alumni on “Beyond the Thesis: Navigating the Intersection of Research and Impact.” We were honoured to welcome our alumni for the discussion with their valuable insights and experiences, contributing to the success of our inaugural event :

–Dr. Daniel Mahadzir (Director of Research and Development at Adeante Corporation and Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore)

–Dr. Faizal Hamid (Founder and CEO of Plantgenics Sdn Bhd and Head of Department at Bioeconomy Corporation)

The event showcased the outstanding research progress of students across seven schools, with a focus on topics of research commercialization, Intellectual Property, and research impact.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to making this event a reality. This includes the schools, Graduate Research Directors, workshop instructors, Research Platforms, Monash University Postgraduate Association (MUPA), The Library and Learning Commons, Invest Selangor Berhad and Graduate Student Directors who played a vital role in finding facilitators for the Graduate Research Week workshops.

A special thank you goes to:

-Workshop facilitators and instructors from schools and Research Infrastructure, including those involved in the pre-workshop sessions.

–ECN members who served as judges for oral and poster presentations and reviewed abstracts.

Your invaluable support made the inaugural Graduate Research Week a resounding success. We are now passing the baton to MUMGRO to continue the effort of optimizing student potential.

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MUPA PG Sharing Session #2: Night and Social Fun

Written by MUPA 2024 Vice-President. Edited by Jeannette Goon.

The MUPA PG Sharing Session 2, held on June 19, 2024 was a cheerful event that successfully brought together current and new postgraduate students, fostering a sense of camaraderie and meaningful interaction.

A highlight of the session was the innovative Emoji Introduction. Participants introduced themselves using a string of emojis representing their interests, hobbies, or personality traits, prompting others to interpret the emojis and learn about each person in a fun and engaging way. This dynamic activity effectively broke down barriers and facilitated connections among attendees.

Another key feature of the event was the MUPA quiz, which spurred active participation and set a vibrant tone for the session. As the discussions progressed, both participants and MUPA members found themselves engaged in lively and enriching exchanges, significantly enhancing the overall experience. The event also included a variety of board games, adding to the enjoyment and interaction.

The feedback session was particularly valuable, providing insights into the students’ preferences and desires for future activities. There was a clear call for MUPA to prioritise initiatives such as retreats, movie nights, and physical activities. These suggestions reflect the diverse needs of postgraduate students and their desire for both entertainment and mental growth opportunities.

A new MUPA member, Batrisyia Azalan, had a good time at the event and said, “It was nice to meet other people from other schools. Will definitely attend another one in the future.” 

The event concluded on a high note with a shared meal, further fostering a sense of community and belonging among all attendees.

Thanks to Iman Juvale and Memory Mtambo from the School of Medicine, and Batrisyia Azalan from the School of Arts & Social Sciences for their support in taking photos during this event.

Video edited by Sharifah Rose Ee.
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Congratulations! – MUPA Website Banner Design Competition

From all your votes, we would like to announce the result of the MUPA Website Banner Design Competition…

Winner: Design 2 by Ervin Tiu Shan Khai (School of Engineering)

1st Runner-up: Design 5 by Aurelie Mok (School of Science)

2nd Runner-up: Design 1 by Tan Wen Jian (School of Engineering)

Consolation Prizes:

  • Mary Ling (School of Science)
  • Liew Yee (School of Medicine)
  • Heerman Kumar (School of Science)
  • Tazeek Bin Abdur Rakib (School of IT)
  • Zulkarnain Kashem (School of Business)
  • Wan Aina Wan Yahaya (School of Business)
  • Dakshina Fernando (School of Engineering)

7 Lucky Voters:

  • Aurelie (School of Science)
  • Rupany (School of Science)
  • Nicola Lai (School of Medicine)
  • Claudeen Lau (School of Science)
  • Hamza Zubair (School of Engineering)
  • Aathira Sujathan Nair (School of Pharmacy)
  • Anindya Widita (School of Arts & Social Sciences)

Our heartiest congratulations to all the winners of the MUPA Website Banner Design Competition! 🥳 All winners will be contacted via email before the end of the month regarding their voucher details.

Thank you to all creative designers and voters for your participation and contribution to this event. Stay tuned to the MUPA Website as we feature these awesome designs! 

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Diving Deep: Exploring Molecular Docking and Homology Modelling in Computational Drug Design

Written by Amrita Muralikrishnan. Edited by Sharifah Rose Ee.

15 postgraduates from various schools attended the “Diving Deep: Exploring Molecular Docking and Homology Modelling in Computational Drug Design” virtual seminar on 6 June 2024. Organised by MUPA School of Pharmacy representative, this highly informative virtual seminar was conducted by Dr Prabitha P, a lecturer from JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru (India). Dr Prabitha has an impressive background with numerous publications and contributions to the field of pharmaceutical chemistry with more than 11 years of teaching experience. 

This virtual seminar provided participants with an enriching platform to explore and understand two critical techniques in the fields of bioinformatics and molecular biology. Geared towards improving their bioinformatics-based skill-set, participants were also guided step-by-step on the use of AutoDock – a widely used free software, essential to most researchers. 

Participants were highly engaged throughout the virtual seminar and took advantage of the opportunity to interact with the speaker during the Q&A session. Dr. Prabitha provided thorough and insightful answers, enriching the learning experience for all attendees.

The event successfully highlighted the critical role of computational techniques in modern biological research and drug discovery. Participants are encouraged to stay connected and continue the conversation on the cutting-edge topics of molecular docking and homology modelling.

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Hook the Audience: The Key to Winning 3MT

Written by Kiew Suet Yin and Framjee Hathy. Edited by Jeannette Goon.

It wasn’t an easy task to present an entire PhD thesis in only three minutes but for Framjee Hathy, finding the “hook” i.e. the most interesting selling point of his research, cinched him the win at the school-level 3MT (Three Minute Thesis Competition) Competition hosted by the School of Business on April 25, 2024.  

“Collaborators in other fields, colleagues in different schools, and even my mother couldn’t grasp the essence of my research,” he explained.

“Their polite nods and smiles drove me to find a way to communicate more effectively.”

Kaveendra Vasuthevan, who emerged as the runner-up, also delivered an exceptional presentation that captivated the audience.

The event was judged by Associate Professors Manjeevan and Karren Khaw, as well as Dr Juliana French. Dr Sharon Koh, Kar Yan, and Dr Pauline organized and supported the event.

From the valuable feedback and encouragement, he received, Framjee went on to compete at the campus-level where he clinched the first runner-up award. He says preparing for and competing in the 3MT competition was a rewarding experience.

“I learned many skills that will benefit my research progress as a PhD student and would recommend more students take part in this great opportunity,” he said.

“After all, the winner of the campus level competition gets a grant to travel to Australia to compete further which can be an invaluable opportunity to network and develop their research careers!”

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MUPA Cultural Night 2024

Written by Zulkarnain Kashem. Edited by Sharifah Rose Ee.

MUPA Cultural Night aims to foster a sense of unity and inclusiveness for our international postgraduates from diverse backgrounds. The event, which was held on 10 May 2024, was filled with fun and excitement. Dressed in traditional attires representing their home countries, participants were welcomed with tote bags, specially designed by the International Student Representatives. The evening featured amazing performances by Sadia Azmin Anisha and Sagnik Nag from the School of Medicine, Amrita Muralikrishnan from the School of Pharmacy, and Daud Khan from the School of Engineering. Everyone had a blast playing the “Pass the Pillow” game, and enjoyed a delicious spread of Western buffet dinner. To top it all off, we wrapped up the night with a lively trivia quiz that had everyone laughing and competing in good spirits. Afnan Ahmed from the School of Engineering and Sashini de Silva from the School of Medicine were awarded as best dressed male and female respectively. These sharing and experiencing of various cultural traditions through food, music, dance, and other performances and games, promotes mutual understanding and respect for diversity. We look forward to the next fun and colourful celebration of cultural exchange. 

Thanks to Afnan Ahmad and Hamed Shahmohamadi from the School of Engineering, Ali Alrabeei from the School of IT and Golsa Karambakhsh from the School of Science for their support in taking photos and videos during this event. Video curated by Sharifah Rose Ee.