4 November 2025 – A Global Classroom session titled “Microalgae biorefinery: views in upstream and downstream processing” was held via Google Meet. The invited speaker was Chm. Dr. Kuan Shiong Khoo from Yuan Ze University, Taiwan. The session was organized under BSB3723 Agriculture Biotechnology, coordinated by Dr. Mohd Azwan Jenol, with support from Dr. Shariza Jamek.

The talk introduced students to key aspects of microalgae cultivation (upstream) and biomass harvesting and extraction (downstream). Dr. Khoo highlighted practical challenges, recent innovations, and the importance of an integrated microalgae biorefinery for producing fuels, pigments, and high-value biomolecules.

More than 40 students participated actively, engaging with the speaker during the Q&A segment on topics such as photobioreactor scale-up, cost barriers, and industrial applications.

The session successfully enhanced students’ understanding of microalgae biotechnology and contributed to UMPSA’s ongoing internationalization efforts through the Flexible Learning and Microcredential Centre (FLEXMC).