Lecturers of the Biology Cluster, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Semarang State University (FMIPA-UNNES) have visited the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia (FST-UM) in the context of collaborative research between Semarang State University and Universiti Malaya. Universiti Malaya is one of the universities in Malaysia that has a QS rank of 60 (QS Rank 100 Universities). Collaborative research and publications between lecturers of FMIPA UNNES and lecturers of FST UM have been initiated since 2022 until 2025.
The 2025 research collaboration is chaired by Prof. Dr. Ari Yuniastuti, M.Kes entitled: Production of Functional Food from Moringa Leaves by Industries and its Utilization among Urban Households in Indonesia and Malaysia. As research members are Prof. Dr. drh. R. Susanti, MP and Prof. Dr. Noor Aini Habibah, M.Si. The Chief Researcher from FST-UM is Prof. Dr. Che Wan Jasimah, Dr. Maisarah binti Hasbullah, Dr. Suzana Ariff Binti Azizan, Dr. Sujatha Ramsamy and Dr. Mohd Zufri Mamat. This collaborative research is a continuation of the previous collaborative research in 2024 entitled The Use of Moringa oleifera Among Indonesian and Malaysian Families: Potential Therapeutic Applications, Ethnomedicine and Toxicological Aspects.
The event began with remarks by Dr. Suzana Ariff Binti Azizan, Head of the Department of Science and Technology. She expressed her hope that the research collaboration between FMIPA UNNES and FST UM would continue and have a significant impact on the communities of both Indonesia and Malaysia. A discussion session on the 2024 research results and the 2025 research plan was presented by Prof. Dr. Ari Yuniastuti, M.Kes.
The joint publication discussion related to the research results included the proposed article title, the names of the authors involved in the article’s preparation, and the intended journal for publication, planned for a WoS indexed journal. The lively discussion between FMIPA UNNES and FST UM was a key moment of the meeting. The potential for collaboration in research and other programs is clearly open for further development.
The event closed with the signing of the Implementation of Arrangement (IA), exchange of souvenirs between the two parties, followed by a group photo session and continued with a friendly gathering as a sign of close family ties and partnership between the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Semarang State University and the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya.
This research collaboration directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, it aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, as the research on functional food from Moringa leaves contributes to improving community health and nutrition. Second, it contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education, since the partnership enhances academic excellence, research capacity, and international publications that strengthen higher education quality. Lastly, the collaboration embodies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, emphasizing the importance of strong international cooperation between universities to achieve shared scientific and societal benefits.
