Joint Research Initiative between UNSW and UCSI Malaysia for Global Collaboration
UNSW and UCSI Malaysia have formalised a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 21 March 2024. This MoU marks the beginning of a partnership aimed to foster collaboration, training, and knowledge exchange, most specifically in the areas of RNA research, vaccines, and therapeutic development.
With a shared commitment to excellence in research and education, UNSW and UCSI are poised to tackle some of the most pressing human health challenges, leveraging the wealth of expertise at the UNSW RNA Institute, and UCSI’s Centre of Excellence for Research, Value Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CERVIE).
"We are very excited by the opportunity to collaborate with UCSI Malaysia,” said Professor Pall Thordarson, Director of the UNSW RNA Institute. “Together, we hope to advance the Institute’s vision to significantly shape the landscape of RNA technologies and therapeutics, creating a substantial impact on human welfare across our region”
Professor Lionel In Lian Aun, Director of CERVIE said that the partnership would boost UCSI’s international research network, providing new opportunities for students and staff.
“UCSI is a strong advocate of international collaboration,” he said. “We are eagerly looking to work together with UNSW to advance RNA research and arrive at consequential findings. We are confident such high-impact partnerships will have a spillover effect on our research scene.”
Malaysia is Australia’s second largest trading partner among ASEAN Member States. We hope the activities that may occur under this MoU will continue to contribute to these efforts and building on previous bilateral and regional health initiatives.
For questions about this MoU, please contact:
UNSW RNAI Institute
Dr Andre Serobian
a.serobian@unsw.edu.au
About UNSW RNA Institute:
The UNSW RNA Institute is a world class RNA science, therapeutics and translational facility. Established with a $25 million investment from UNSW to build NSW’s capability to research, develop and manufacture RNA-based therapeutics locally.
At the heart of the UNSW RNA Institute lies the RNA Accelerator, its core facility pivotal in building up Australia’s own pipeline in RNA therapeutics. It is Australia’s first ISO 9001 Certified facility for the ‘Pilot-scale manufacture and design and development of new processes for RNA-based therapeutics and other products for pre-clinical studies.’ The RNA Accelerator supports all RNA industry and academia who need pre-clinical RNA production by developing technology in delivery vehicles, interactions and analytics, sensing, and manufacturing.
CERVIE, UCSI University, Malaysia
Prof. Ts. Dr. Lionel In Lian Aun
lionelin@ucsiuniversity.edu.my
About UCSI University, Malaysia:
UCSI University is a leading comprehensive private university in Malaysia that improves graduate outcomes and life chances for students from over 120 nations. It is classified as one of Asia’s top private universities in the QS World University Rankings 2024. It is classified in the world’s top 1% by virtue of its top 300 ranking.
Research plays a central role in UCSI’s offerings. UCSI's number of publications in Scopus-indexed journals has septupled from 2015 and 2023. More than 20 UCSI professors are Fellows of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia or ranked in Stanford University’s Highly Cited Top 2% Scientists List.
