Bangladeshi researcher Dr Laila Nahar gets gold medal in Malaysia

Expatriate Bangladeshi researcher Dr Laila Nahar has been awarded gold medal for creating healthy Mushroom Crackers using green technology in Malaysia.

She received this award from the Ministry of Higher Education of the country.

On November 3, eight researchers, including Dr Laila Nahar, were awarded the gold medals at an international conference held at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). The Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia organised the conference.

Researchers from all Malaysian universities, non-governmental organisations, polytechnics, international institutions, community colleges, schools, industries or agencies participate in this international conference and exhibition. The conference is held after every two years. Awards were given to the best researchers in different categories at the conference.  This year, 477 researchers took part in the conference.

'Mushroom Crackers', invented by Dr Laila Nahar, is made of 100 percent organic material. The cracker is not only healthy but is both protein and mineral-rich as no tasting salt or artificial color are mixed in it. The cost of  preparation is also very low as it is made of only four ingredients.

Dr Laila Nahar is currently working as a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Agro-based Industries Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK). Prior to this, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Dr Laila, daughter of Mohammad Nasim Ali and Hosne Ara Begum of Rajshahi, obtained Master's degree from Rajshahi University in 2004 and PhD degree in Mycology and Plant Pathology from University Putra Malaysia (UPM) in 2011.