QIU ’s commitment to advancing impactful research took centre stage as researchers, clinicians, academics and industry professionals from Malaysia and beyond gathered for the International Conference on Drug Discovery and Translational Therapeutics (ICDT) 2026.
Held recently at the Ipoh Convention Centre, ICDT 2026 strengthened dialogue and collaboration around the development of new drugs and the translation of scientific discoveries into meaningful healthcare outcomes.
The programme reflected the increasingly collaborative nature of healthcare research, bringing together expertise across pharmacology, pharmaceutical science, clinical practice, healthcare and industry.
The conference was officiated by Yang Berhormat Dato’ A. Sivanesan, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Sumber Manusia, Kesihatan, Hal Ehwal Masyarakat India dan Integrasi Nasional Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan.
QIU Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Goh said the conference demonstrated the importance of creating platforms where international experts could come together to advance discussions on the future of drug discovery and its potential impact on society.
“Drug discovery is a global effort, and progress depends on experts from different disciplines and different parts of the world coming together to share perspectives, challenge ideas and explore new possibilities. By bringing these conversations to Ipoh, we hope to contribute to discussions that can ultimately lead to new drugs, better treatments and outcomes that benefit the community.”
“The University is committed to impactful research, as we are already working on solutions to previously incurable medical conditions—patented research that has reached clinical trial stages.”
The conference featured a keynote address by Professor Dr Ulrich Förstermann from the Department of Pharmacology, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany, alongside scientific sessions involving experts from universities, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry.
Among the QIU speakers were Professor Dr Vilasini Pilai, Dean of QIU’s Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences and Director of the Centre for Research and Innovation; Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr Wendy Liu, Deputy Dean and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences;
Professor Dr Aman Shah bin Abdul Majid, Professor and Head of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Dr Ashok Gnanasekaran, Professor and Director of the Centre for Botanicals and Clinical Research at the Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Dr Mahibub Mahamadsa Kanakal, Professor and Director of the Centre for Pharmaceutical Product Development and Commercialization (CPPD) at the Faculty of Pharmacy; Ms. Sarah Stephenie and Ms. Hemalatha Murugaiah of the Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences; as well as Assoc. Prof. Dr Annie Poh, Dr Komala A/P Thirumalai and Professor Dr Sandheep Sugathan of QIU’s Faculty of Medicine.
Guest speakers included Dato’ Dr Harikrishna a/l K. Ragavan Nair, Director of Hospital Kuala Lumpur; Datuk Dr Allan Mathews, consultant with a pharmaceutical firm in Brunei and former Dean of QIU’s Faculty of Pharmacy; Dr Ajit Pal Singh, Director of Scientific Affairs at Pharmaniaga Sdn Bhd, and Emeritus Professor Dr Yuen Kah Hay of Universiti Sains Malaysia.
The conference also offered QIU students direct exposure to a high-level professional gathering, allowing them to experience the perspectives of researchers and industry experts first-hand.
“For our students, this is much more than simply attending a conference. They have the opportunity to see how leading researchers, clinicians and industry professionals exchange ideas, build connections and approach real-world healthcare challenges. These experiences allow them to network, learn directly from industry leaders and be inspired by the possibilities that exist within their own fields.This is what we mean by experiential learning,” added Nicholas.
The conference highlighted the importance of translating scientific research into practical healthcare solutions, and the value of collaboration across disciplines and sectors. Bringing together researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, universities and industry created opportunities to exchange knowledge, explore emerging developments and identify potential avenues for future research and innovation.
The event also contributed to Ipoh’s growing profile as a centre for healthcare, education and the sciences, demonstrating the potential for the city to host meaningful exchanges among researchers, healthcare professionals and industry experts on the future of medicine and pharmaceutical science.
Nicholas noted that the conference contributed to strengthening Ipoh’s position within the healthcare and education landscape, in line with QIU founder and Council Chairman Dato’ Sri Dr Vijay Eswaran’s vision of a university that positively impacted the community.
He said the event’s goal of advancing scientific discovery aligned seamlessly with the development of QIU’s new ultra-modern campus in Ipoh, signalling the bright future of the institution.
“Perak is a state blessed with plenty of natural resources that can be developed into beneficial medication.This is a good starting point and we will continue organising yearly events that bring talented minds together across different disciplines. We hope this will be a catalyst for more people to get involved.
“When we bring international experts, researchers and healthcare professionals into the city, we create opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration and new partnerships while reinforcing Ipoh’s position as a hub of scientific innovation.”
Congratulations to the organisers and we will see you for next year’s edition in 2027!
