Professor Asgar Ali, an academic and researcher at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, receive done of its highest scientific honours for postharvest technology bestowed by The Hi-Tech Horticultural Society, India. The Horticultural Society bestowed the Rajesh Pilot Memorial Award 2017 to Professor Ali in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of biotechnology.
His multi-disciplinary research team is the leading group worldwide which is working on postharvest practices that improve the postharvest handling, packaging and marketing of tropical fruit. He conducts global research on the postharvest technology of fruits and vegetables, to reduce food loss and waste in the fruit and vegetable sector.
His team of researchers tests and develops technology relevant to the handling and storage of fruits and vegetables, mainly working on papaya, banana, chilli and dragon fruit at the Centre of Excellence for Postharvest Biotechnology (CEPB) located at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. His team is also investigating the commercial use of a gum arabic-based edible coating for the preservation and quality of fresh produce.
"It is an honour to have one's work recognised on a global scale and I am certainly very pleased. Due credit should also go to my research team and industry who have supported my ideas and research interests," Professor Ali said.
The award was presented to Professor Ali at the Global Meet on Science and Technology for Ensuring Quality Life held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 26-30 November 2017.
This award was especially given for his contribution for developing environmentally friendly technology to reduce postharvest losses in fresh produce.
Research
Professor Asgar Ali established and currently is a Director at the internationally-recognised Centre of Excellence for Postharvest Biotechnology (CEPB)at the University of Nottingham. CEPB is a global centre for postharvest research with the mandate of reducing postharvest losses and enhancing shelflife and nutrition of fruits and vegetables. CEPB has contributed substantially to global research on edible coatings for extending the shelflife of fruits and vegetables, pioneering research on the use of the natural product gum arabic as an edible coating.
His research is also focused on collaboration with transdisciplinary scientists related to health promoting bioactive compounds and alternative management of postharvest diseases from fruits and vegetables.
Professor Ali is also the Associate Editor for the Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology.
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More information is available from Professor Asgar Ali or Josephine Dionisappu, PR & Communications Manager at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus on josephine.dionisappu@nottingham.edu.my, +6 (03) 8924 8746.
Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham has 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with a “distinct” approach to internationalisation, which rests on those full-scale campuses in China and Malaysia, as well as a large presence in its home city.’ (Times Good University Guide 2016). It is also one of the most popular universities in the UK among graduate employers and the winner of ‘Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2015. It is ranked in the world’s top 75 by the QS World University Rankings 2015/16. More than 97 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is recognised internationally and it is 8th in the UK by research power according to the Research Excellence Framework 2014. It has been voted the world’s greenest campus for four years running, according to Greenmetrics Ranking of World Universities.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest-ever fundraising campaign, is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future.
Posted on 16th January 2018