Quest International University (QIU) has achieved another milestone in research and innovation, with PhD in Science student from the Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences (FILS), Sarannia Thanganathan, receiving dual recognition at the International Innovation Competition (INNOCOM VII 2026).
Sarannia was awarded a Gold Award in the Science and Technology – Poster Presentation (Student) category, in addition to a Special Award for the Most-Liked Virtual Presentation on YouTube, recognising both the scientific merit of her research and its strong engagement with the wider public.
Organised by the Academic International Dialogue (AID) Academy in collaboration with Universitas Mercu Buana, Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), and Universitas Nasional, Indonesia, INNOCOM VII 2026 brought together students, researchers, and academics from across the region to showcase innovative research and solutions.
The competition attracted 102 participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Pakistan, and Thailand, representing a diverse range of higher education institutions and organisations, including UNESA, Kolej Vokasional Kajang, University of Technology Sarawak, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Teknologi MARA
(UiTM), Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Politeknik Kuching Sarawak, Politeknik Ungku Omar, Politeknik Hulu Terengganu, Jabatan Farmasi Hospital Pakar Sultanah Fatimah, and Majlis Perbandaran Kajang.
The award-winning project brings together biodegradable polymer technology and plant-derived bioactive compounds, demonstrating an interdisciplinary approach to the development of sustainable materials for biomedical applications.
By combining natural resources with polymer-based delivery systems, the project explores innovative approaches with potential applications in therapeutics. The research was undertaken by a multidisciplinary team comprising Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hema Ramachandran, Prof. Dr. Ashok Gnanasekaran, Ms. Rajarajeswari
Pathmanathan, Mr. Joshua Chai, and Sarannia Thanganathan.
Sarannia’s achievement reflects QIU’s commitment to nurturing research talent, promoting interdisciplinary innovation, and providing students and researchers with opportunities to showcase their work on international
platforms. It also highlights the University’s continued efforts to advance sustainable, bio-based solutions for biomedical applications and translate research excellence into meaningful innovation.
