Malaysia aims to lead in global virology researc
Speaking at the opening of the 3rd International Conference of the World Society for Virology (WSV2025) here today, Chang said Malaysia is committed to building science-driven resilience and public health security.
'Our target is to become a technology producer by 2030 and not just a user, but a creator and innovator, including in biotechnology,' he noted.
The conference, also attended by WSV president Dr Maria Soderlund-Venermo, brought together over 300 experts from more than 25 countries, underscoring Malaysia's growing scientific capacity and its aim to become a regional biotechnology hub.
Chang stressed that science must serve humanity, guided by ethics, collaboration and shared knowledge, values aligned with the MADANI Government's policy framework.
'We are honoured to host leading virology minds dedicated to understanding viruses and their impact on health, agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystems,' he added.
Reflecting on the lessons of COVID-19 and the growing threat of zoonotic diseases, Chang called for greater investment in early warning systems, diagnostics, vaccines and antiviral treatments, not just to respond to health crises but to anticipate them.
He also highlighted the role of the Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI), under the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM), in halal-certified vaccine development, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) research, antiviral innovation and global scientific collaboration.
The three-day WSV2025 conference, themed 'The Virosphere of Our Cellular World', features more than 150 presentations on immunology, zoonotic diseases, vaccine innovation, genomic surveillance and diagnostics.
The event is co-organised by WSV and NIBM, with support from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the Institute for Medical Research (IMR), Universiti Malaya, Monash University Malaysia and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
14 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's nuclear energy push gains momentum with promising pre-feasibility study, says science minister
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — A pre-feasibility study on the use of nuclear energy as a primary energy source for the country has been completed, with preliminary findings indicating significant potential for this energy source in ensuring a stable, clean and reliable supply. The study, among other things, recommended the establishment of six technical task forces, with three under the responsibility of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), its minister Chang Lih Kang said. 'Three technical task forces have been entrusted to MOSTI, focusing on technology and industrial development, the development of nuclear competence and expertise, as well as the legal and regulatory framework,' he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng), who enquired whether Malaysia is ready to explore nuclear energy generation and the types of collaboration programmes established with international agencies related to nuclear science and technology. Chang said the government is exploring nuclear energy as one of the main options to ensure national energy sustainability through strategic cooperation between MOSTI and the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA). He said currently, Malaysia has 323 research officers at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and 36 science officers at the Atomic Energy Department, serving in various fields of nuclear and related technologies. Meanwhile, Chang said Malaysia signed a Civil Nuclear Strategic Partnership agreement with the United States on July 10, serving as a catalyst for long-term cooperation in developing Malaysia's civil nuclear energy capabilities in a safe and responsible manner. 'This is one of the measures, in addition to a network of partnerships with China and Russia, to strengthen Malaysia's efforts in developing a well-planned nuclear energy generation programme,' he said. — Bernama
The Sun
15 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia explores nuclear energy potential in pre-feasibility study
KUALA LUMPUR: A pre-feasibility study on the use of nuclear energy as a primary energy source for the country has been completed, with preliminary findings indicating significant potential for this energy source in ensuring a stable, clean and reliable supply. The study, among other things, recommended the establishment of six technical task forces, with three under the responsibility of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), its minister Chang Lih Kang said. 'Three technical task forces have been entrusted to MOSTI, focusing on technology and industrial development, the development of nuclear competence and expertise, as well as the legal and regulatory framework,' he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a question from Tan Kar Hing (PH-Gopeng), who enquired whether Malaysia is ready to explore nuclear energy generation and the types of collaboration programmes established with international agencies related to nuclear science and technology. Chang said the government is exploring nuclear energy as one of the main options to ensure national energy sustainability through strategic cooperation between MOSTI and the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA). He said currently, Malaysia has 323 research officers at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and 36 science officers at the Atomic Energy Department, serving in various fields of nuclear and related technologies. Meanwhile, Chang said Malaysia signed a Civil Nuclear Strategic Partnership agreement with the United States on July 10, serving as a catalyst for long-term cooperation in developing Malaysia's civil nuclear energy capabilities in a safe and responsible manner. 'This is one of the measures, in addition to a network of partnerships with China and Russia, to strengthen Malaysia's efforts in developing a well-planned nuclear energy generation programme,' he said. - Bernama
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia to amend atomic law to explore nuclear energy
KUALA LUMPUR: The bill to amend Malaysia's atomic energy legislation may be tabled in the current parliamentary session, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang. Chang said the move to enact the law would reflect Malaysia's commitment to exploring nuclear energy as a future energy source. "The ministry is currently in the process of amending the Atomic Energy Bill. If we receive Cabinet approval, we hope to table it during this session," he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today. On March 10, Chang said that the government will be amending the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 to further strengthen the legal infrastructure dealing with nuclear technology. At the time, the government was engaging with stakeholders to gather input before moving forward with the use of nuclear technology as an energy source, which is expected to be incorporated into the 13th Malaysia Plan. Chang, in Parliament today, said Malaysia has the laboratory expertise to extract thorium, but lacks the research and development capacity to utilise the element as a source of electricity — unlike countries such as China. "We are enhancing our research and development capabilities through collaboration with nations that have expertise, such as China, Russia, India and the United States," he said in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Haji Ahmad Amzad Mohamed @ Hashim (PN–Kuala Terengganu). Chang said that a pre-feasibility study conducted by a committee under the ministry had been completed, with preliminary findings indicating that Malaysia has significant potential to adopt nuclear technology as an energy source.
