Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) has secured an international research grant worth Rp150 million (approximately RM33,945) for a collaborative healthcare study with Indonesia, strengthening cross-border scientific cooperation and exploring a potential new approach to treating nicotine dependence.
The research collaboration brings together Dr. Muhammad Zaki Ramli from Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak (UniKL RCMP) and apt. Chrismawan Ardianto from Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Indonesia.
The funding was awarded under the Pelaksanaan Penelitian EQUITY Skema International Research Network 2025, supporting international research collaboration between the two institutions.
The research project, titled “Effectiveness of the Long-Acting GLP-1 Agonist Semaglutide for Treating Nicotine Dependence,” explores the potential of semaglutide as an alternative therapeutic approach to nicotine dependence.
Semaglutide, a medication belonging to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class, is primarily used in managing type 2 diabetes and obesity. Its potential application in nicotine dependence represents an emerging area of research into alternative approaches to addiction treatment.
Through this collaborative study, researchers aim to investigate whether semaglutide could offer therapeutic benefits in addressing nicotine dependence, contributing to scientific understanding of potential treatment approaches.
While the research explores a promising area of medical science, its effectiveness for nicotine dependence remains under investigation, and the grant does not represent confirmation of a successful treatment.
Beyond its scientific objectives, the grant represents another milestone in UniKL’s efforts to strengthen international research partnerships and advance healthcare innovation through collaborative research.
The partnership with Universitas Airlangga also highlights the importance of cross-border academic cooperation in addressing shared public health challenges, particularly those related to tobacco use and nicotine dependence.
By bringing together researchers from Malaysia and Indonesia, the project creates opportunities for knowledge exchange, scientific collaboration and the development of research expertise across institutions.
It also reflects the university’s efforts to strengthen its international research network, particularly within Southeast Asia, through partnerships that address healthcare challenges with potential regional and global relevance.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, particularly Target 3.a, which focuses on strengthening implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
It also supports SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, particularly the promotion of international cooperation and knowledge sharing in science, technology and research.
