UTM researchers shine at 2026 IChemE Malaysia Awards

Dr. Amnani Shamjuddin

📝 Summary

UTM researchers won two categories, two Highly Commended recognitions, and a finalist position at the 2026 IChemE Malaysia Awards, and a Highly Commended recognition at the 2026 Young Engineers Awards for Innovation and Sustainability. The university’s projects, including PalmEye and O3AT, were recognized for their contributions to sustainable agriculture, digitalization, and bio-based textiles. The wins will also qualify the teams to compete in the IChemE Global Awards 2026.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) researchers achieved two category wins, two Highly Commended recognitions and a finalist position at the 2026 Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Malaysia Awards, alongside a Highly Commended recognition for a UTM young researcher at the 2026 Young Engineers Awards for Innovation and Sustainability (YEAIS).

The IChemE Malaysia Awards 2026 ceremony was held on 5 October 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, recognising outstanding achievements in chemical, process and biochemical engineering.

UTM researchers celebrate their achievements at the IChemE Malaysia Awards 2026 together with IChemE leadership. From left: Dr. Amnani Shamjuddin, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hajar Alias, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Asmadi Mohammed Yussuf, Dr. Ollie Folayan (IChemE President), Prof. Ir. Dr. Mazura Jusoh (Vice Chair, IChemE Malaysia), Ir. Zainab Kayat (Chair, IChemE Malaysia), Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nur Izyan Wan Azelee, and Dr. Mohamad Sukri Mohamad Yusof

UTM’s first major recognition was awarded to PalmEye: Non-Destructive AI-Driven Digital Grader for Oil Palm Fruit Ripeness, led by Dr. Amnani Shamjuddin from the Chemical Reaction Engineering Group (CREG), Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT). PalmEye was named the winner of the Digitalisation, AI and Automation Award, making CREG the inaugural recipient of this newly introduced category. The project applies artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision to support non-destructive assessment of oil palm fresh fruit bunch ripeness, contributing to more consistent and objective grading, improved decision-making, productivity and sustainability within the palm oil industry.

Dr. Amnani Shamjuddin (left) receiving the Digitalisation, AI and Automation Award sponsored by The Chemical Engineer from IChemE President, Dr Ollie Folayan (right)

“We are sincerely grateful for this recognition. PalmEye has grown from a research idea through the collective contributions of our students, colleagues, collaborators and industry partners. More importantly, we hope this milestone will create further opportunities for collaboration in developing practical AI-driven solutions for a more efficient and sustainable agricultural sector,” said Dr. Amnani.

UTM achieved a second category win through O3AT: Sustainable Long-Fiber Agricultural Biomass Pretreatment for Bio-based Textiles Applications, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Asmadi Mohammed Yussuff from CREG. O3AT received the Sustainable System Award for its contribution towards more sustainable utilisation of agricultural biomass and the development of higher-value, bio-based textile materials.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Asmadi Mohammed Yussuf receiving the Sustainable Systems Award sponsored by The Chemical Engineer from the Malaysia Representative at IChemE Congress, Ir Hong Wai Onn (right)

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nadia Adrus received a Highly Commended recognition in the Health, Wellbeing and Food Award for OrthaG: A Bio-Based Hydrogel Contact Lens Platform for Sustainable Vision Care, while Dr. Mohamad Sukri Mohamad Yusof was selected as a finalist for Nano Herbicide Micelle as an Advanced Cure for Oil Palm Disease. Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nur Izyan Wan Azelee received a Highly Commended recognition in the Sustainable System Award for Engineering a Sustainable Chemoenzymatic Catalyst for Biodiesel Production.

Prof. Ir. Dr. Mazura Jusoh (left) on behalf of Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nadia Adrus receiving the Highly Commended recognition in the Health, Wellbeing and Food Award from Non-Executive Director, IChemE Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Dr. Christina Phang Mei Cee (right)

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Nur Izyan Wan Azelee (left) receiving a Highly Commended recognition in the Sustainable System Award from the Malaysia Representative at IChemE Congress, Ir Hong Wai Onn (right).UTM’s achievement also extended to the 2026 Young Engineers Awards for Innovation and Sustainability (YEAIS). Tai Ji Zhang received a Highly Commended recognition in the Environmental Protection and Improvement category for “Metal Organic Framework-Based Heterostructure Catalyst in Smart Photothermal System for CO₂ Conversion to Fuels”. The research was conducted under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hajar Alias, Dr. Amnani Shamjuddin and Dr. Mohamad Sukri Mohamad Yusof.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hajar Alias presenting the YEAIS 2026 research entry on behalf of Tai Ji Zhang, who is currently undertaking a research attachment in Japan.

As category winners, the PalmEye and O3AT teams will automatically progress as finalists in the IChemE Global Awards 2026, providing an international platform for UTM-developed technologies to be showcased alongside leading chemical and process engineering innovations worldwide.

The strong representation of UTM researchers at the IChemE Malaysia Awards 2026 demonstrates the University’s research strength across agriculture, healthcare, energy, advanced materials, digital transformation and environmental sustainability.