Johor Bahru, August 14, 2024 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) held a highly successful “Workshop and Sharing Session on Matching Grant Applications” as part of the Faculty of Science (FS) Research Year 2024. The hybrid event was conducted via Webex and in person at BMU FS, C17, attracting a strong turnout with 67 lecturers attending the morning session and 34 joining the afternoon session.
Led by Program Director Dr. Fairuz Diyana Ismail, the workshop provided academic staff with practical knowledge on applying for UTM matching grants to secure research funding and foster collaborations with external institutions. The event featured presentations from the Research Management Centre (RMC), where experts shared essential guidance on improving grant proposals using UTM’s matching grant templates.
The morning session was delivered virtually via Webex, with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zaki Yamani Zakaria, Deputy Director of Project Management and Monitoring at UTM’s Research Management Centre, providing participants with valuable insights into proposal writing and the grant application process. The afternoon session, held in the FS Meeting Room, C17, featured key speakers Ts. Dr. Muhammad Safwan Aziz, Director of the Laser Centre UTM, and Assoc. Prof. Ts. ChM. Dr. Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek, Deputy Dean (Research, Development & Innovation) of the Faculty of Science, who shared their experiences and strategies for successful applications.
Key highlights of the program included:
- Comprehensive Training: Participants received in-depth guidance on enhancing grant proposals and understanding matching grant application requirements.
- Encouraging Collaboration: The event motivated FS staff to actively pursue matching grants as a way to secure research funding and establish partnerships beyond UTM, boosting the university’s research impact globally.
- Notable Outcomes: Two participants were identified as strong candidates to submit matching grant applications following the workshop.
The event was well-received, with many appreciating the hybrid format, which allowed for broader participation. Despite minor technical challenges, the program ran smoothly. For future workshops, participants suggested condensing the sessions into a half-day format to better suit schedules.
The workshop exemplified UTM’s commitment to enhancing research funding opportunities and fostering collaborative efforts through matching grant applications.
