PENANG, 5 September 2014 - A Malaysian scientist from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), who a few months ago was named one of the researchers with The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds 2014 by Thomson Reuters, was surprised when he was announced as one of the recipients for the Merdeka Awards 2014 by the Royal Patron of Merdeka Award Board of Trustees, the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah in Kuala Lumpur last night.

A professor in the field of Membrane Science and Technology from USM School of Chemical Engineering, Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Ahmad, 47, was recognised for his “Outstanding Scholastic Achievement” as an academician who has made significant contributions in research and technological development in the field of polymer science, wastewater treatment, and membrane separation technology.

The Merdeka Award was introduced in 2007 through the initiative of Petronas, ExxonMobile and Shell to recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations that contribute to the development of Malaysia in five categories with each receiving a certificate, a trophy and cash of RM500,000.

In a special interview with him, Abdul Latif expressed gratitude to Allah SWT for receiving the award and described it as a recognition of the expertise of researchers like him who were born after Merdeka.

“I am very grateful and a bit surprised as I did not expect to be given this recognition as there were many other scientists who had contributed significantly to the nation,” said Abdul Latif.

However, he added, that this recognition will certainly inspire him to do more high-impact research that can benefit the nation and the global community someday.

Originated from Beranang Selangor, Abdul Latif was the youngest of eight siblings. The academician had also served as the Dean of School of Chemical Engineering and Dean of Research, Fundamental Sciences, USM.

“I grew up in a family of rubber tappers who were relatively poor and my mother brought us up since my father died in 1970 when I was only 3 years-old,” he said when asked about his background.

Since childhood, his ambition was to become an educator who shares and disseminates knowledge. In pursuing that dream, he acquired B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering (1990), a MSc in Chemical Engineering (1991) and PhD in Membrane Technology (1994), all from the University of Wales, Swansea, United Kingdom.

Holding onto the catchphrases “Anything we do, we must have the innocence of a child, the endurance of a camel, and the courage of a lion” and “there are no boundaries to what we can do, break the chains of limitations and go beyond the horizon”, Professor Dr. Abdul Latif constantly strived to improve the level of trust and public confidence in technology and local expertise, including in solving problems such as those involving water treatment.

He often believe that after such a long time of Merdeka, it is time for effort to be made in ensuring the realisation of this country to become a technology leader, not merely technology consumers.

“Take for example, we should be utilising fully membrane technology in water treatment in this country as there are many experts in this field at various universities and they should be brought together to find ways to reduce the cost of this technology,” said Abdul Latif. “It is because the filter can produce high quality water to the community over a long period of time as it was adopted by our neighbouring countries that utilised this technology a long time ago.”

Membrane filtration technology is the finest as compared to the molecules and cells; it is similar to biological filters found in the human body, taking on the role similar to that of the human kidney. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Mohamad Abdullah/Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa