UK-SEA vax hub meeting boosts regional cooperation in vaccine research
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia continues to boost regional collaboration in vaccine research and manufacturing by participating in the 2nd UK-South East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (UK-SEA Vax Hub) All Partners Meeting held at Monash University Malaysia today.
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), in a statement today, said Malaysia's active participation in the programme was in line with its role as ASEAN Chair in 2025, particularly through the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) and the ASEAN Health Division.
It said the move further strengthened Malaysia's image as a regional leader in vaccine innovation and public health security.
'The programme brings together over 150 participants from nine ASEAN countries and the United Kingdom, including researchers, policymakers and key industry players in the vaccine sector.
'Malaysia also highlighted the latest developments in vaccine manufacturing facilities and research involving high-risk pathogens, alongside special exhibitions by MOSTI agencies showcasing various initiatives and local biopharmaceutical products,' the statement said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal, in the same statement, said that strategic cooperation between ASEAN countries and global partners in vaccine research and manufacturing must be further strengthened to ensure equitable and sustainable vaccine security.
'This includes the need for long-term investment in research and development, the cultivation of technical talent, and the establishment of a strong regional biotechnology ecosystem,' he said when officiating the opening ceremony of the programme today.
Also present were British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Malaysia Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
Dr Adeeba, in the meantime, reaffirmed the commitment of higher education institutions to supporting vaccine innovation and fostering collaboration among academia, government and industry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘Struggling with identity': Asean youth mental health forum hears rising stress levels among social media generation
KOTA KINABALU, June 29 — A total of 135 participants from Asean member states and Timor Leste attended the two-day Roundtable Discussion: Asean Youth Mental Health 2025 held here, which began yesterday. Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh said the forum brought together participants from various backgrounds, including mental health experts, religious figures, policymakers, government officials, civil society representatives and youth. In the Malaysian context, she said the forum was crucial as findings from the Malaysian Youth Mental Health Index Study 2023 (MyMHI'23) indicated that the mental health of youths aged 15 to 30 remained at a moderate level. 'For a serious issue like this, the government needs the involvement of all parties to come together and discuss. In this case, we need the cooperation of medical experts, youth representatives and religious groups,' she said after opening the programme here today. Meanwhile, the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) Acting Chief Executive Officer Shahhanim Yahya said that today's youth appear to struggle with their self-identity, as they are increasingly open about expressing emotions and stress on social media. 'The scope of stress is broad, and this is why it's important for us to better understand the determine whether the cause of stress stems from within themselves or from their surrounding ecosystem,' she said. Themed 'Asean Youth Voice: Empowering Minds, Ensuring Well-being', the programme aims to address the mental health challenges of Asean youth through regional cooperation, exchange of best practices and promoting inclusive advocacy to increase mental health literacy and improve access to mental health care. — Bernama
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Youth identity crisis fuels mental health problems, says Yeoh
KOTA KINABALU: Mental health problems among youths are linked to their sense of identity and future prospects, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. "Policymakers need to take this data seriously," she said after launching the "Roundtable Discussion: Asean Youth Mental Health" at a resort here. Yeoh was referring to the identity issues of stateless individuals in Sabah, which she said must be addressed despite the political sensitivities. She added that her ministry is working with the National Anti-Drugs Agency to curb substance abuse among youth, who often turn to drugs to cope with mental health challenges. "When we started talking to young people, we realised that many of them turn to drugs for various reasons. But our approach is not to judge them. "We want to raise awareness and encourage them to seek help and get treatment. They cannot sit at home and try to resolve this problem alone.". Findings from the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES) showed that indigenous communities recorded the lowest scores on the depression index, likely due to their access to stress-relieving activities or environments. She said that Sarawak had the highest happiness scores, while Sabah ranked in the top five. IYRES said one in five youths aged 15 to 30 is experiencing mental stress. Yeoh said the meeting aimed to promote youth mental health awareness among Asean states and adopt best practices, given their shared lifestyles and challenges. She said that the government alone cannot solve the mental health crisis, and collective efforts are needed from all sectors, including medical professionals and religious organisations. The initiative follows a recent Dewan Rakyat session, where suicide attempts were decriminalised. They were previously punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code. The roundtable was organised by IYRES in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and the Communication for Development Centre at Universiti Putra Malaysia. Representatives from Asean states also attended the event.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
ASEAN youth mental health forum draws 135 participants in Kota Kinabalu
KOTA KINABALU: A two-day roundtable discussion on ASEAN youth mental health has gathered 135 participants from across Southeast Asia and Timor Leste. The event, which began yesterday, focuses on regional cooperation to tackle rising mental health concerns among young people. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, citing findings from the Malaysian Youth Mental Health Index Study 2023. The study revealed that mental health levels among Malaysian youth aged 15 to 30 remain moderate. 'For a serious issue like this, the government needs the involvement of all parties to come together and discuss. In this case, we need the cooperation of medical experts, youth representatives and religious groups,' Yeoh said during the opening ceremony. Shahhanim Yahya, acting CEO of the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia, noted that today's youth face unique challenges in self-identity and emotional expression. 'The scope of stress is broad, and this is why it's important for us to better understand the determine whether the cause of stress stems from within themselves or from their surrounding ecosystem,' she explained. Under the theme 'ASEAN Youth Voice: Empowering Minds, Ensuring Well-being', the forum aims to enhance mental health literacy and improve access to care through knowledge sharing and policy discussions. Participants include mental health professionals, policymakers, religious leaders and youth representatives from across the region.
