Having been in Malaysia for 20 years, Agilent Technologies is expanding its presence and has entered into a partnership with Monash University Malaysia to build an integrated biology centre in the country. As part of the partnership agreement, Agilent and Monash will combine their respective strengths in analytical techniques and biomedical knowledge to accelerate R&D in the field of science over the next three years.
These R&D environments, focused on providing analytical expertise for both small and large molecules, will advance scientific knowledge on the development of antivenom, and other areas of applied biology research for publications and potential clinical usage. The integrated laboratory will strengthen Agilent’s portfolio in building local research capabilities, hosting scientists across Malaysia and providing customers with greater outcomes in support of their research work.
Over the last 20 years in Malaysia, Agilent has expanded into a 200,000 sq ft facility in Penang with more than 630 skilled scientists, engineers, and employees to support scientific research locally, regionally, and globally. The site hosts instrument manufacturing, a global instrument design centre, a bio-chemical reliability lab, and a global supply chain hub. The company has made significant contributions with ongoing academia, government, and industry collaborations, positioning Malaysia as a beacon of innovation and enabling the technologies of tomorrow.
Professor Matthew Nicholson, President and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash University Malaysia, shared a little on the University’s strategic plan, Impact 2030: “Impact 2030 charts a path for how the University will actively contribute to addressing the global challenges of our age, including that of creating and maintaining thriving communities. Importantly, we will strive in everything we do to be excellent, international, enterprising and inclusive. These commitments, especially to be excellent and enterprising, are also values that are shared by Agilent, and which are evident in this agreement to establish an integrated biology centre here in the heart of ASEAN. We are very proud of our long-term partnership with Agilent, to which we are deeply committed.”
Commenting on the partnership, Chai Meng Fee, Malaysia general manager of Agilent, said, “We are pleased to expand our presence and deepen our investment in Malaysia with this state-of-the-art centre, which will help us drive innovations to ultimately enhance the quality of life. This collaboration with Monash reflects Agilent’s commitment to raising local science R&D capabilities and delivering advanced analytical solutions. We understand the importance that our customers place on translational research for societal impact, and we will further value-add by helping our customers achieve trusted insights and superior outcomes in their labs.”
Established in 1998, Monash University Malaysia is the third-largest campus of Australia’s largest university and the first foreign university campus in Malaysia. The Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences has over 15 years of experience. As part of a research university with an emphasis on research-led teaching, medical research in an important component of its activity.
US-based Agilent Technologies Inc. specialises in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets. Agilent’s full range of solutions includes instruments, software, services, and expertise. The company generated revenue of US$6.32 billion in fiscal 2021 and employs 17,000 people worldwide.