Department Of Research Synergy
Overview
At Universiti Malaya, Department of Research Synergy was established in 2025 to strengthen the university’s research ecosystem by enhancing collaboration, visibility, and strategic alignment across more than 80 research centres. These include Tier 7 Centres of Research (CoRs), Centres of Excellence (CoEs), UM-designated Centres of Excellence (UMCoEs), Higher Institution Centres of Excellence (HICoEs), and national Top-Down research initiatives. We are building a research environment that is inclusive, integrated, and investment-ready—where bold ideas are matched with the right expertise, partnerships, and platforms to deliver real-world impact
Our Vision
- Transform UM’s research ecosystem from fragmented excellence to synergistic impact
- Driving national relevance
- Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration
- Positioning UM as a civilizational university
Our Mission
Support UM’s transformation into a national and global leader in research innovation
- Connect: Pair emerging research centres (CoRs) with mentors, strategic funds, and platforms for growth
- Mediate: Curate partnerships across faculties and sectors to enable CoEs to lead collaborative projects
- Elevate: Coach and support UM’s top-performing centres in their journey toward national and international recognition (HiCoE, global rankings, flagship projects)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roslina Ismail
Executive Director
roslina_i@um.edu.my
03-7967 7824
Mrs. Nor Azian binti Abdul Bari
Senior Principal Assistant Registrar
norazian@um.edu.my 
Our work is guided by four strategic pillars aligned with Malaysia’s national research priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing strength from the UM 10 National Research Thrusts, these pillars provide a structured framework for our funding, collaboration, and evaluation mechanisms:
- Frontiers of Knowledge: Advancing Artificial Intelligence, DeepTech, Quantum Science, and Advanced Materials.
- Planet & Humanity: Addressing Food Security, Health Systems, and Environmental Sustainability.
- Resilient Ecosystems: Fostering national resilience through digital transformation, preparedness, and interdisciplinary research.
- Global Civilisational Dialogue: Driving social impact, policy development, law, cultural heritage, and diplomacy.
Higher Institution Centre of Excellent (HICOE)
The Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) title is awarded by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education to top university research hubs. These centres drive high-impact research, foster industry partnerships, and address key national and global challenges. Universiti Malaya is home to five HICoE-designated centres:Nationally awarded by KPT for world-class output (based on niche, economic impact, policy influence or innovation). Build roadmap, curate metrics, act as research steward
UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC)
Despite its humble beginnings in the year 2000, a small research laboratory with only a handful of engineering students with limited funds and facilities, UMPEDAC rose through the ranks to emerge as the nationally acclaimed Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) in Engineering Research Cluster in 2009 that it is today.
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Photonics Research Centre (PHOTONIC)
PRCUM was established in the year 1979 as Laser Laboratory by Prof. Tan Beng Cheok. In conducting laser research, the laboratory employs multiple lasers and associated optical systems.
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Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES)
Aligning institutional discovery frameworks to pursue pioneering scientific research, provide advanced professional instruction, and deliver crucial advisory guidelines for maritime governance.
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Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC)
Founded in 2008, the Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC) at the Universiti Malaya is the leader in Malaysia’s tropical infectious diseases research and education. It is one of the 20 Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)’s Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) and the only one for tropical infectious diseases.
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Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Center (NANOCAT)
NANOCAT is a PTJ incorporated by the Universiti Malaya (UM) in 2012, a Universiti Malaya Centre of Excellence (UMCOE). Its mission is to be a world leader in catalysis and nanotechnology coining sustainability and green technology.
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Universiti Malaya Centres of Excellence (UMCoE) – Institutional Research Excellence
The Universiti Malaya Centre of Excellence (UMCoE) status recognizes top-tier research hubs driving innovation, collaboration, and academic leadership. Equipped with specialized expertise and modern facilities, these centres deliver high-impact research that supports national goals while building a path toward global recognition.
Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR)
The Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR) is a Centre of Research Excellence at Universiti Malaya. We leverage Malaysia’s rich biodiversity to support sustainable agricultural development and strengthen national biosecurity capacity.
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Centres of Excellence (CoEs) – Strategic Thematic Research Platforms
Universiti Malaya’s 18 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) are multidisciplinary hubs designed to tackle pressing national and global challenges. By bringing together experts across faculties and institutes, these centres drive innovation in key fields like AI, health, sustainability, energy, food security, and emerging tech. Together, they strengthen UM’s research network to deliver practical solutions that benefit society and support national development.
- Aerospace Innovation
- Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
- Biodiversity for Sustainable Economy
- Climate Preparedness and Community Resilience
- Digital Transformation of Health
- Environmental, Social and Governance
- Food Security & Intelligent Farming
- Future Studies
- Future Sustainable Energy
- Halal Research, Training and Education
- Innovation Medical Devices
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise
- Natural Products, Biopharmaceuticals and Precision Medicine
- Quantum Information Science & Technology
- Rare Earth Elements
- Smart Mobility
- Urban Ecosystem, Culture and Heritage
- Value Creation (Entrepreneurship)
Centre for Civilisational Dialogue (UMCCD)
The Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, the first of its kind in the region of South-East Asia, seeks to promote dialogue and mutual understanding between civilisations through various intellectual activities such as international research seminars and a series of publications.
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Ungku Aziz Centre For Development Studies
The Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies (UAC) was established by the Universiti Malaya (UM) as a centre of excellence dedicated to advancing research, policy dialogue and community engagement in the areas of development, poverty, social well-being and inclusive growth, in line with national aspirations and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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The Universiti Malaya STEM Centre (UM STEM)
The Universiti Malaya STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Centre, also known as UM STEM Centre, was established in January 2019. This centre provides a platform for STEM education activities that encourage students ranging from preschool to higher education levels, to engage in STEM education.
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Centre of Printable Electronics (CPE)
Printable electronics is an emerging field that leverages advanced materials and printing techniques to fabricate electronic devices on flexible substrates.
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The Social Wellbeing Research Centre (SWRC)
Previously known as Social Security Research Centre, was established in March 2011 at the Faculty of Economics and Administration (FEA), Universiti Malaya to initiate and carry out research, teaching and dissemination of evidence-based knowledge in the area of social security, including old age financial protection aimed at enhancing the understanding of this critical topic to promote economic development and social cohesion in Malaysia.
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The Centre for Research in Industry 4.0 (CRI4.0)
Founded by Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor, represents Universiti Malaya’s strategic commitment to advancing the nation’s readiness for the sweeping transformations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0). As one of UM’s distinguished research centres, CRI4.0 aspires to be the authoritative voice in the field, elevating Malaysia’s R&D ecosystem and strengthening the country’s technological resilience.
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1. Centre for Fundamental and Frontier Sciences in Self-Assembly (FSSA)
2. Centre for Ionics University of Malaya (CIUM)
3. Centre of Research in Systems Biology, Structural, Bioinformatics and Human Digital Imaging (CRYSTAL)
4. Low Dimensional Materials Research Centre (LDMRC)
5. Mushroom Research Centre (MRC)
6. Plasma Technology Research Centre (UMPTRC)
7. Universiti Malaya Centre For Proteomics Research (UMCPR)
8. University of Malaya Centre for Data Analytics (UMCDA)
9. Centre for Natural Product and Drug Discovery (CENAR)
10. Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre (OCRCC)
11. University of Malaya Cancer Research Institute (UMCRI)
12. University of Malaya Centre for Addiction Sciences (UMCAS)
13. Centre for Energy Sciences (CES)
14. Centre for Innovation in Medical Engineering (CIME)
15. Centre for Transportation Research (CTR)
16. Centre of Advanced Manufacturing and Material Processing (AMMP)
17. University of Malaya Centre for Ionic Liquids (UMCIL)
18. Centre for Malaysian Indigenous Studies (CMIS)
19. Centre of Quranic Research (CQR)
20. Malaysian Chinese Research Centre (MCRC)
21. The Malaysian Population & Migration Research Centre (MPMRC)
22. UM Cultural and Heritage Research Centre (UMCHRC)
23. Universiti Malaya Centre For Taxation Research
UM – Centre Of Research (Faculty)
Faculty of Built Environment
- Centre for Building, Construction & Tropical Architecture
- Centre for Sustainable Urban Planning & Real Estate
Faculty of Engineering
- Centre of Advanced Communication Research and Innovation
- Centre for Applied Biomechanics
- Centre for Innovative Construction Technology
- Centre of Intelligent Systems for Emerging Technology
- Sustainable Process Engineering Centre
- Centre for Sustainable and Smart Manufacturing
- Centre of Advanced Materials
Faculty of Education
- Centre for Research in International and Comparative Education
- UM Family Research and Development Centre
Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology
- Center of Research for Cyber Security & Network
- Centre for Mobile Cloud Computing Research
Faculty of Medicine
- Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice
- Centre for Excellence for Research in AiDS
- Centre for Population Health
- National Orthopedic Centre of Excellence for Research and Learning
- UM Bioequivalence and Testing Centre
- UM Eye Research Centre
- UM Research Imaging Centre
Faculty of Science
- Biodiversity and Ecological Research Network
- Centre for Theoretical and Computational Physics
- Centre of Research for Statistical Modelling and Methodology
- UM Centre for Data Analytics Consultancy and Services
Faculty of Arts & Social Science
- Hong Lou Meng Research Centre
- Humanistic Buddhism Research Centre
- Malaysia Chinese Literature Research Centre
Asia-Europe Institute
- Center for ASEAN Regionalism Universiti Malaya (CARUM)
