COVID-19 Impact.pdf

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted research, particularly experimental-based research that requires physical experimentation in laboratory facilities. In Malaysia, the government's Movement Control Order (MCO) led to the closure of universities, resulting in research activities being put on hold. However, the government has since allowed postgraduate students to resume their research on campus, subject to stricter regulations and standard operating procedures.

The pandemic has also opened up new research prospects, especially those related to COVID-19. Research groups have been formed globally, and the sharing of knowledge and findings has occurred rapidly. Databases and journals have been created to facilitate the sharing of resources and research on COVID-19.

As a result, significant progress has been made in COVID-19 research, including the development of potential vaccines and diagnostic techniques. Over 100 COVID-19 vaccine candidates are under development, and some are already in the human trial phase. Diagnostic techniques, such as nucleic acid amplification tests, have also been developed.

Researchers in various fields, including big data, public health, and medical sciences, have made excellent contributions to COVID-19 research and innovations. Examples include the creation of CoronaTracker, a one-stop platform for real-time COVID-19 data, and the development of a COVID-19 risk profiling system using artificial intelligence technology.

In Malaysia, government agencies and universities have innovated various solutions, including the MySejahtera application software for monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and the creation of a Hybrid Rapid Test Kit for COVID-19 diagnosis. Overall, the pandemic has accelerated research and innovation, particularly in the field of COVID-19, and has demonstrated the importance of global collaboration and knowledge sharing.