Congratulations to SFSG Researchers Successfully Secured Ministry of Higher Education Research Grant

A team of researcher from the School of Food Studies & Gastronomy (SFSG, Taylor’s University, Ms. Tracy Wong Fang Lian, Principal Investigator, together with her team members Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chong Li Choo and Dr. Wendy Lim Pek Kui have successfully secured RM101,500.00 Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) from the Ministry of Higher Education for the project title "Investigation of Water-Electrolysis Generated Ozone on Aromatic Ring-based Pesticide Degradation and Heavy Metals Elimination in Producing High Quality Attributes Local Grown Chilies (Capsicum annuum L.): A New Approach of Postharvest Greener Technology"

This project aims to establish a set of defined water-electrolysis generated ozone system using this green technology to remove heavy metal, pesticides and microbial load from locally grown chilies. The outcome of this project is expected to contribute towards new approaches to food and nutrition security, support growth of the national economy and underpin sustainable development. This also to assists the food processing industry in Malaysia to comply with more stringent international food quality and safety standards.

It is also an Academic and Industry collaboration with Medklinn International and Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

Taylor's Culinology® Commercial-Ready-To-Drink Sparkling Drink "Zing! Fizz it Up"

A team of Taylor's Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Culinology® final year students won silver in Taylor’s Innofest 2022 under the category of Best Prototype. The winning product was "Zing! Fizz It Up", a ready-to-drink Sparkling Calamansi Flavoured Herbal Beverage which consists of Dukung Anak, an anti-inflammatory and underutilized herb under the National Key Economic Area (NKEA) program. The participated students were Ang Ru Jun (Group Leader); Amanda Rash Pillai; Billium Budiman; Lai Kuishun and Naomi Mee Ying Song.

Taylor's InnoFest is an innovation festival digital platform showcasing on going design thinking, creativity, direct research and development projects undertaken by undergraduate and postgraduates students in the university. This event aspires to promote the spirit and culture of creativity and innovation throughout the university showcased students works that provoke discussion, stimulate ideas, collaborations and aligning research outputs to Technology Readiness Level 1 to 9 (TRL). Projects with market and/or social driven potential which solves macro or micro economic or social challenges were identified during the festival and these project teams were mentored and given an opportunity to scale up, pitched to investors, transfer technology, productization collaboration and/or go to market via spin-off or startups.

Zing! also utilizes Cogon grass, an antibacterial herb that consists of immunomodulatory benefits. The product provides antipyretic properties which soothe sore throat and help with clearing heatiness and cooling the blood within the body in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This functional beverage was developed under the final year project entitled "Transformation of Herbal Industry in Malaysia: Instant Herbal Beverage Product Development" using high value local herbs, under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr. Chong Li Choo, Programme Director, School of Food Studies & Gastronomy.

This commercial-ready product, was also “Champion” in the recent concluded Techstars Startup Weekend Sustainability Selangor 2022. Techstars Startup Weekend Sustainability Selangor was a 54-hour event that was designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation, Techstars Startup Weekends culminated in Sunday night demos and presentations. This year theme was the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

The participants created working startups during the event and were able to collaborate with like-minded individuals outside of their daily networks. All teams attended talks by industry leaders and received valuable feedback from local entrepreneurs. The weekend was centered on action, innovation and education. Whether you are looking for feedback on an idea, a co-founder, specific skill sets, or a team to help you execute, Techstars Startup Weekends was the perfect environment in which to test your idea and take the first steps towards launching your own startup. The prizes were given to the top 10 winners where the winners received innovation grants worth up to RM100,000. Additionally, miscellaneous prizes worth up to RM20,000 such as mentorship access and free legal access were rewarded.

“Growing Together” Mental Health Awareness Week: “R U OK?” “R U Your Own Doctor?

Taylor’s Master of Clinical Psychology Lecturers and Students Trainee Clinical Psychologists were recently invited by Taylor’s International School Kuala Lumpur (TISKL) for their Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week was “Growing Together”. Dr. Sam Jeng Mun, Senior Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist from Taylor’s University was invited to deliver a talk about teen mental health, titled “R U OK?” on 6 September 2022.

The talk focused on identifying and recognizing mental health issues in teens and resources for mental health support. Dr. Sam and the Master of Clinical Psychology students also conducted role play sessions to demonstrate helpful ways that students can use to check in with their peers who may be struggling with mental health issues.

On 8 September 2022, TISKL held another forum titled “R U Your Own Doctor?” during the Mental Health Awareness Week about the dangers of self-diagnosing mental health issues. Dr. Michele Anne, Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist from Taylor’s University was invited to be part of the panelists for the forum, alongside young adults who have experience dealing with mental health issues. Dr. Michele and the other forum panelists discussed the benefits and dangers of self-diagnosis, fact-checking online information, and other mental health support available.

The Master of Clinical Psychology students from Taylor’s University Trainee Clinical Psychologists also provided brief mental health screenings for the students at TISKL. Students were given the opportunity to learn more about their current mental health . The Trainee Clinical Psychologists also had a one-on-one discussion with the students on ways to boost their mental health and wellbeing.

This invitation by TISKL was a great opportunity for the Aacdemics and Students of the Master of Clinical Psychology to increase mental health awareness among school students particularly teenagers and provided resources to support their mental health.