JOHOR BAHRU, 4 August 2026 – The Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), officially launched Research Month @FS 2026 through a virtual opening ceremony officiated by the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Dr. Shafinaz Shahir.
The annual programme will be conducted from 4 August to 25 September 2026, featuring a series of workshops, talks and knowledge-sharing sessions designed to strengthen the research, publication and innovation capabilities of the Faculty’s academic staff and postgraduate students.
In her opening address, Prof. Dr. Shafinaz highlighted the importance of providing systematic guidance and mentorship to the Faculty’s emerging researchers. As a large proportion of the Faculty’s academic staff comprises young academics, Research Month @FS serves as an important platform for them to learn from experienced researchers within the Faculty and invited experts from outside UTM.
Now in its eighth edition, the initiative has developed into one of the Faculty of Science’s major annual research programmes since it was first introduced in 2019. Previous editions have covered academic writing and publication, research grants, intellectual property, copyright registration, public lectures and scholarly knowledge-sharing activities.
The 2026 programme will focus on four major components: the Book Workshop Series, Publication Workshop Series, Research Grant Roadshow, and Intellectual Property and Innovation Roadshow. The activities are particularly targeted at researchers seeking to improve their indexed publication performance, secure industrial and international research grants, publish edited books, and develop intellectual property based on research products and educational modules.
Among the earliest activities is the Book Chapter Writing Workshop: From Planning to Publication, scheduled for 5 August 2026. Other activities throughout the programme will provide participants with practical knowledge and contemporary skills relevant to the changing academic and research environment, while also enabling UTM staff to obtain Continuing Professional Development points.
The Dean also acknowledged the achievements generated through previous Research Month programmes, including indexed journal publications, conference presentations, copyright submissions and the development of new edited-book editors. The initiative has also supported the publication of an edited book, with another manuscript progressing through the final stages of publication.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Faculty’s management team, heads of departments, directors of research institutes, academic and administrative staff, and students. The programme is advised by Assoc. Prof. Ts. ChM. Dr. Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek, Deputy Dean for Research, Innovation and Development, and led by Ts. Dr. Siti Pauliena Mohd Bohari, Director of Research Month @FS 2026.
Prof. Dr. Shafinaz expressed her appreciation to the programme committee and the UTM Department of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation for its continuous support and financial contribution. She reaffirmed the Faculty’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance research productivity, scholarly writing and high-impact innovation.
Research Month @FS 2026 will conclude on 25 September 2026 with a closing ceremony and award presentation recognising the achievements and active participation of Faculty of Science researchers throughout the programme.
