PENANG, 5 October 2024 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been selected as the main recipient of the PETRONAS research funding at the PETRONAS-Academia Collaboration Dialogue (PACD) 2023 Awards Ceremony, held on 19 August 2024 in Kuala Lumpur.

PETRONAS announced that eight research proposals from USM have been awarded funding for projects focusing on technological advancements in the energy sector.

The recipients included Professor Dr. Khairunisak Abdul Razak, Associate Professor Dr. Ahmad Azmin Mohamad, Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Izzuddin Syakir Ishak, Associate Professor Dr. Derek Chan Juinn Chieh, Associate Professor Dr. Wan Mohd Yusof Rahiman Wan Abdul Aziz, Dr. Nurul’Ain Jabit, Dr. Tuti Katrina Abdullah, and Dr. Fadzil Noor Gonawan.

They were among 61 deserving recipients from 25 universities nationwide who were selected through a rigorous process from a competitive pool of 588 applicants.

USM’s success in securing the competitive funding highlights its essential role in driving technological innovation and research within the industry, showcasing the university’s substantial contributions to the energy sector through its groundbreaking research efforts.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud graced the PACD Award Ceremony with his presence, while USM was represented by its Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Professor Dr. Habibah A Wahab.

The ceremony featured a programme dedicated to celebrating the collaboration between academia and the oil and gas industry, recognising achievements, and discussing future opportunities for partnerships.

USM remains steadfast in its commitment to support and collaborate with strategic partners like PETRONAS, emphasizing the critical role of such alliances in fostering innovation at the intersection of academia and industry.

The PACD 2023 Awards Ceremony marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to bridge academic research with industrial application, underscoring USM’s position in the field and reaffirming the significance of this collaboration.

By awarding a total of RM71 million in research grants to the nation’s academic institutions through the PACD, PETRONAS has strengthened its commitment to human capital development.  

The funding is allocated to research areas aligned with emerging global trends, focusing on sectors such as low-carbon and renewable energy. These include carbon capture and storage systems, bioenergy development, efficient hydrogen generation, and enhancing operational efficiency through data analytics and artificial intelligence.

Through these initiatives, PETRONAS aims to foster innovation and drive the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. 

Photo: Courtesy of PETRONAS