A research project from the STARGAZE Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) was selected as one of only two projects nationwide for featured presentation at the Public-Private Research Network (PPRN) Conference 2026, officiated by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir.

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Held at the Wyndham Grand Bangsar Kuala Lumpur and organised by the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), the conference serves as a national platform for showcasing research collaborations between academia and industry, particularly those with practical applications.

At this year’s conference, only two projects across Malaysia were chosen for presentation to the Minister - one from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and one from XMUM - highlighting representation from both public and private universities under the PPRN initiative.

The XMUM project, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Jian Ping, focuses on developing a microbial-based approach to enhance the efficiency and consistency of bio-organic fertilizer production. Conducted in collaboration with Edafos Agro PLT, the project aims to improve composting processes while ensuring higher product quality.

The project was showcased on the main conference screen as part of the featured presentations reviewed by the Minister. In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Jian Ping was invited as a speaker for Forum 2, titled "Kejayaan PPRN: Daripada Penyelidikan kepada Industri", where he shared insights on translating research outcomes into industry applications alongside representatives from USM.

Another project from XMUM’s STARGAZE CoE, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ban Zhen Hong, was also presented at the exhibition booth. The project applies CFD simulations, real-time data, and weather forecasting to optimise fertilizer application in durian farming, aiming to improve yield while reducing environmental impact through precise fertigation.

During his visit to the exhibition area, the Minister stopped by the XMUM booth, where he engaged with the research team and gained a closer understanding of the projects and their real-world applications.

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