Advancing agarwood research through industry-academia collaboration

UTAR and Heartana Global Berhad formalised an industry-academic partnership for the launch of the Agarwood Project. UTAR President Ir Prof Dato' Dr Ewe Hong Tat and Heartana Global Berhad Founder and CEO Ms Jessica Tan Gaik Mei signed the memorandum of agreement (MoA) on 5 June 2026 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus.

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“The Wood of the Gods”, “The Guardian Tree” – agarwood is known by many names. Widely recognised as Chen Xiang or Gaharu, it is among the most valuable natural raw materials in the world. Beyond its long-standing cultural and traditional significance, agarwood possesses immense potential for innovation and value creation, particularly in the fields of wellness, healthcare, and scientific research.

Before this MoA ceremony, UTAR and Heartana Global Berhad signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 8 January 2026 to foster research, sustainability and education. Now with the MoA signed for the agarwood research project, the two institutions will deepen their partnership and embark on a new chapter of collaboration. By integrating Heartana Global Berhad’s industry expertise, equipment, and resources with UTAR’s academic excellence and research capabilities, this project aims to advance scientific knowledge.

This research initiative forms an integral part of Agartana’s long-term development vision, which aims to advance agarwood cultivation, education, scientific research, and the preservation of agarwood knowledge for future generations. As part of Agartana’s long-term commitment to knowledge development, 3% of the entrusted sales value of every Agartana tree is dedicated to supporting education, research, innovation, and knowledge preservation efforts. The initiative is facilitated through a trust structure with the participation of Oak Hills Trustee Berhad, reinforcing the sustainable advancement of agarwood-related education, scientific discovery, innovation, and heritage preservation.

The research project aims to explore how agarwood interacts with the human nervous system and validate its effects using modern scientific methodology. The project has clear milestones and deliverables, including identifying the metabolites present in agarwood, establishing physiological and neurophysiological baseline parameters, and evaluating a range of physiological and psychological outcome measures. “I am confident that this partnership will not only advance scientific knowledge but also bring tangible benefits to the well-being of our community,” said Prof Dato’ Ewe.

Led by Principal Investigator Prof Ts Dr Lim Yang Mooi, researchers from the UTAR M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS) will conduct a study under this project to investigate the effects of agarwood, particularly on stress levels, by means of advanced neurophysiological assessments. With electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), this study will generate objective scientific evidence regarding agarwood’s effects on human well-being.

Ms Jessica Tan shared her view that industry’s responsibility is to contribute to education, research and knowledge development. This cooperation demonstrates how Heartana Global Berhad works with an educational institution to create lasting value for society. By combining traditional materials with modern science, this project is expected to generate new knowledge that will benefit future generations.

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Representatives of UTAR including: UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Office of International Affairs Director Dr Lai Soon Onn, MK-FMHS Dean Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong, MK-FMHS Prof Ts Dr Lim Yang Mooi, Chairperson of Centre for Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine Ms Foo Chai Nien, Physiotherapist II of MK-FMHS Ms Nandakumari, Lecturer MK-FMHS Ms Kiruthika, PhD candidate Mr Aden Tan Soon Yan and Ms Tan Yu Shan.

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Sources: https://news.utar.edu.my/news/2026/June/13/01/01.html