JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 8 – The Institute of High Voltage and High Current (IVAT) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in collaboration with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation Society (DEIS) Malaysia Chapter and the Malaysian High Voltage Network (MyHVnet), successfully hosted a one-day event titled “Research Networking: Connect and Collaborate” on August 7, 2025.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Prof. Dr. Zulkurnain Abdul Malek, the Director of UTM Research Management Centre. He discussed the university’s research ambitions and highlighted the importance of fostering a dynamic research ecosystem, and following his speech, Ts. Dr. Zulkarnain Ahmad Noorden, the Director of IVAT, introduced the institute’s history, as well as its calibration and testing capabilities, and ongoing research activities. He also emphasized IVAT’s commitment to both national and international collaborations.
The event featured distinguished speakers from China and Malaysia who presented their research in high voltage engineering and related fields. First, Prof. Dr. Jiawei Zhang from Xi’an University of Technology, China, delivered an inspiring talk titled “Smart Sensing Technology for Green Energy Systems.” He showcased innovative sensing technologies aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of renewable energy systems. Next, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peng Wang from Sichuan University, China, presented an insightful talk entitled “Key Technologies of Electrical Insulation in Transportation Electrification.” He discussed the latest research focused on enhancing electric vehicles, electric aircraft, and other electrified transportation systems.
Prof. Dr. Zulkurnain Abdul Malek presented his research titled “Optimization of Superconducting Pulsed Transformer for High-Performance Inductive Pulsed Power Supplies.” He focused on the design of pulsed power transformers, aiming to enhance their efficiency in power applications. Following him, Assoc. Prof. Eur. Ing. Ir. Ts. Dr. Lau Kwan Yiew shared his research called “Materials Engineering for Next-Generation Electrical Insulation.” He emphasized the significance of developing advanced electrical materials for high-voltage insulation systems that align with sustainable development goals.
In the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to tour several research facilities at UTM, which allowed them to explore the university’s research capabilities. The tour began at the high-voltage laboratory, where participants observed various high-voltage equipment used for calibration, testing, and research purposes. Next, they visited the electric vehicle laboratory, which showcased ongoing projects in electric vehicle powertrains, charging systems, and performance optimization. The tour continued to the electric vehicle charging facility, which features integrated photovoltaic systems, and concluded at the battery energy storage facility focused on efficient energy management.
The event facilitated an intensive exchange of knowledge and encouraged interactive discussions between the speakers and participants. By bringing together research expertise from China and Malaysia, it created opportunities for international cooperation in the fields of high voltage engineering, advanced materials, and modern energy systems. This collaboration is paving the way for a future research agenda focused on promoting energy sustainability.
By Assoc. Prof. Eur. Ing. Ir. Ts. Dr. Lau Kwan Yiew, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.