NIBONG TEBAL, 21 July 2023 – A visit from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University from Thailand to the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Chemical Engineering at the USM Engineering Campus has led to discussions by both parties in exploring areas relating to Biorefinery, Oleochemicals and Palm Oil.

The Dean of the USM School of Chemical Engineering, Professor Ts. Dr. Chm. Ahmad Zuhairi Abdullah said, both sides have already identified similarities in term of subjects and research areas, especially those which are related to chemicals.

“Not only we have seen the potential for a future collaboration, but also to many more openings in a joint learning experience between the departments.

“On top of that, and with the co-operation provided by a supportive research environment, innovative researchers and state-of-the-art research facilities through the Science and Engineering Research Centre (SERC) at the USM Engineering Campus, we will also fully utilize the resources in the future,” he said.

“By looking at the previous experience, as well as the capacity of the expertise that we have, the school is ready for more collaborations beyond the research scope, such as the student and staff exchange programmes with Chulalongkorn University as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Director of Bio-Circular-Green Economy Technology and Engineering Centre (BCGeTEC), Department of Chemical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Professor Dr. Suttichai Assabumrungra hopes to conduct collaborative research between both schools, particularly in Oleochemicals and other related areas.

“Despite the fact that this is the first visit by our university to the school, we are looking forward to a positive outcome of today’s discussion, not only for the name of USM and Chulalongkorn University but for Malaysia and Thailand at large too,” said Suttichai.

During the same programme, Assistant Director of BCGeTEC, Associate Professor Dr. Apinan Soottitantawat added, as a start, they would like to focus on the basic collaboration between the schools before advancing to the idea of involving students and staff of both schools.

“However, we are still aiming to strengthen the relationship between the schools through various collaborations, any time in the future!” he said.

A total of 12 academic staff from the School of Chemical Engineering and five (5) academic and administrative staff from the Department of Chemical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University were involved in the discussion.

Following the discussion, the delegation from Chulalongkorn University was then taken to visit the laboratory at the School of Chemical Engineering.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Photo: Mohd Rasydan Omar & Siti Nur Aishah Adzhar (USM Internship Students)