GUANGZHOU, 8 April – An academic delegation from the Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory (NaturMeds), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), visited Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, from 5 to 8 April to explore strategic collaboration opportunities in traditional medicine research, natural products, and functional foods.

The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Faridah Abas, accompanied by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Munirah Mohd Faudzi, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tham Chau Ling, Dr. Nor Asma Ab Razak (Research Officer at NaturMeds), and Chong Xiu Qing (Ph.D. student).

The research visit program was held at the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, Jinan University, hosted by Prof. Dr. Gao Hao, Head of the Institute, and the research team led by Prof. Dr. He Rong Rong. Key activities included research discussions, exchange of expertise, and visits to laboratory facilities and advanced research platforms. Discussions focused on potential joint research, high-impact publications, and human capital development through researcher and student training and mobility programs between the two universities.

As part of this collaboration, Chong Xiu Qing will undertake a three-month research attachment at Jinan University to conduct joint research under the supervision of researchers from the host institution. This attachment is expected to strengthen collaborative research outputs and facilitate the transfer of expertise between UPM and Jinan University 

The visit also supports the university’s internationalisation agenda and aligns with the Belt and Road Initiative, further strengthening strategic Malaysia–China relations in higher education and natural product–based research. Jinan University has expressed its continued commitment to providing academic support and research facilities to ensure the effective realisation of long-term collaboration between both institutions.

Date of Input: 06/05/2026 | Updated: 06/05/2026 | azah