UTM inks MoU with AIR Berhad

Sabri Ahmad

PUTRAJAYA, 5 January 2017 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Aliran Ihsan Resources Berhad (AIR Berhad), a subsidiary of MMC Corporation Berhad (MMC) will explore possible business relationship and opportunities concerning the advanced membrane technology solutions for water and wastewater treatment.

From right Professor Dr Ahmad Fauzi, Datuk Ir Dr Wahid, Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Zaini, Dato’ Sri Che Khalib at KeTTHA.

Profesor Datuk Ir Dr Wahid (right) and Dato’ Sri Che Khalib exchanging document at KeTTHA.

The partnership was finalized with signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between both parties in which UTM will be represented by the Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC) in this collaboration.

AIR Berhad was represented by its Director, Dato’ Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, Director of AIR Berhad and the Chief Executive Officer, Adam Saffian Ghazali while Professor Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid bin Omar, Vice Chancellor of UTM and Professor Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of UTM signed on behalf of AMTEC.

The signing was held at the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water’s (KeTTHA) office in Putrajaya and witnessed by Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang, Secretary General of KeTTHA.

AIR Berhad recently introduced its first ‘Industrial Wastewater Recovery Plant’ using Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membrane Technology for its client in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan.

The plant was successfully commissioned and completed on 31 October 2016 and has started operation since 1 November 2016.

The project offers client a cost saving by replacing fresh water purchasing with sustainable water supply which simultaneously resolves water service interruption from the water authority, allowing customers to have better business focus.

The recovery plant can also serve various industries depending on the quality of the wastewater effluent.

This partnership is expected to bring more opportunities to resolve the problem of water supply faced by most regions of the country.

At the same time the industry can utilized the expertise of local researchers to develop local technology. This is in line with government objectives to develop more homegrown technology as preparation for our country towards a developed country.