The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Assistant Professor Dr. Chong Su Sin (Principal Investigator), teamed with Assistant Professor Dr. Wong Ka Lun (co-researcher) from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering for securing a grant under the Public-Private Research Network (PPRN) 2.0 Phase 1/2026 by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education.

Awarded RM50,000 by the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Chong and her team will use the funds to develop a biomass-based coating that extends the shelf life and preserves the export quality of tropical fruits to overcome major logistical hurdles in international export markets. This advanced material intervention aligns with circular economy principles and aims to retain the quality of high-value agricultural commodities, which will directly benefit the local agricultural sector.

PPRN is an initiative by the Ministry of Higher Education aimed at promoting demand-driven innovation programmes to enhance industry productivity and support Malaysia's economic growth. The government provides matching grants to facilitate project development, strengthening public-private partnerships through collaboration with higher education institutions and public research institutions to deliver industry-driven solutions.

Previous PPRN 2.0 recipients, also from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, include Associate Professor Dr. Tan Jian Ping and Associate Professor Dr. Ban Zhen Hong from, who were awarded in 2024.

Dr. Chong Su Sin specializes in green synthesis and circular economy principles, focusing on the conversion of agricultural waste into nanomaterials. Her research integrates these nanomaterials into advanced coatings to extend the shelf life of tropical fruits. She also applies these nanomaterials in photonics to develop functionalized optical fiber sensors for precision environmental monitoring.