From Research to Reliability: UTM Drives Asset Integrity Agenda with Industry

Dr. Nor Suriani Sani

DESARU, 5 Feb – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), in collaboration with the Association of Materials, Vibration & Insulation Practitioners, Malaysia (AMVIP), successfully organised the Asset Integrity Management Forum & Technology Showcase 2026 at Four Points by Sheraton, Desaru, Johor. The event attracted more than 150 industry professionals from Malaysia’s critical industrial sectors.

Themed “Maintenance, Inspection & Monitoring for Petrochemical, Oleochemical, Oil & Gas, Energy, Marine & Water Industries”, the forum served as a strategic platform for plant managers, asset integrity engineers, maintenance professionals, inspection specialists, researchers, academics, technology providers, and decision-makers to exchange insights and strengthen collaboration in safeguarding industrial assets.

Asset integrity management plays a critical role in ensuring that major facilities such as power plants, ports, offshore platforms and pipelines operate safely, reliably and sustainably. Effective maintenance strategies, systematic inspection practices, and smart monitoring technologies are essential for managing ageing assets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mitigating operational risks. The forum emphasised practical, technology-driven solutions that can be directly implemented in real industrial environments.

In his welcoming remarks, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Muhamad Azizi Mat Yajid, Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation & Development), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FKM), UTM, and Chair of AMVIP Johor, highlighted the importance of strong industry–academia collaboration in developing impactful and operationally relevant innovations. He noted that such platforms enable meaningful knowledge exchange and collective problem-solving to enhance safety, reliability and sustainability across industries.

The programme was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sabrinah Adam, Deputy Director of the Centre for Community and Industry Network (CCIN), UTM. In her address, she reaffirmed UTM’s commitment to strengthening sustainable university–industry partnerships through joint research initiatives, industry-focused training, and technology transfer programmes. She emphasised that meaningful collaboration ensures academic research translates into practical, real-world industrial solutions.

The forum featured keynote presentations by leading industry and academic experts, including Ir. Ts. Dr. Nor Azizi Mazalan of Malakoff Power Berhad, Ts. Ahmad Zahry Iswandi Yunos of Johor Port Berhad, and Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Salman Leong of UTM. Participants were exposed to cutting-edge technologies such as corrosion monitoring systems, structural health monitoring solutions, UTM’s innovative R-WIPER raw-water pipeline exploration robot, and an aerodynamically efficient low-wind-speed horizontal-axis wind turbine. The programme concluded with a forum and panel discussion on integrating maintenance, inspection and monitoring ecosystems to build resilient, future-ready industries.

The success of the forum was strongly supported by industry sponsors, including Abadi Oil & Gas Services, Norimax Sdn. Bhd., Advantech Alliance Sdn. Bhd., IEV (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Rockwool Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Euro-Circuit Technology Sdn. Bhd., Progressive Impact Corrosion Sdn. Bhd. (PICORR), FGE Control (M) Sdn. Bhd., SIRIM QAS International Sdn. Bhd., Sonomatic SEA Sdn. Bhd., Temperlite Insulation Sdn. Bhd., and VRG Dinamik Sdn. Bhd. Their support ensured strong industry representation and practical relevance throughout the programme.

Aligned with UTM ASCEND 2030, which emphasises impact-driven research, strategic industry engagement and sustainable innovation, the event demonstrated how university expertise can directly contribute to national industrial resilience. By bridging academic knowledge with operational realities, UTM continues to position itself as a trusted strategic partner in advancing safe, reliable and sustainable industrial practices.

The Asset Integrity Management Forum & Technology Showcase 2026 underscores UTM’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s industrial ecosystem and supporting long-term economic sustainability through collaboration, innovation and knowledge transfer.