On May 14th, 2024, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted the esteemed Malaysian Thailand Joint Authority (MTJA) for the MTJA Roadshow 2024, a significant event aimed at fostering collaborative research in science and technology.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Datuk Joseph Podtung, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTJA, who emphasized the agency’s dedication to advancing cross-border research and innovation. Prof. Dr. Zulkurnain Abd Malek, Director of the Research Management Centre (RMC) at UTM, warmly welcomed the guests and highlighted UTM’s commitment to promoting a culture of innovation and scientific excellence.
The primary objective of the roadshow was to highlight the transformative potential of MTJA’s grants, attracting participants from UTM and other prestigious institutions such as Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Universiti Malaya (UM), and Chulalongkorn University.
Mr. Marahizal Malihan, MTJA RCF-CO Focal, provided an in-depth presentation on MTJA’s grant initiatives. He detailed the grants’ critical role in supporting groundbreaking projects aimed at mitigating environmental impacts and enhancing energy efficiency.
A key highlight of the visit was an informative tour of the Waste Heat Energy Recovery Plant at UTM LoCARtic Blok P21. This RM23 million project, funded by an MTJA grant, took six years to complete due to unforeseen circumstances, including the global COVID-19 pandemic. Under the leadership of UTM-LoCARtic’s former Director, Prof. Dr. Sritha Rajoor, the project successfully harnessed waste heat from fuel consumption, resulting in a significant 7.7% reduction in CO2 emissions.
Distinguished team members from LOCARTIC, including Dr. Chiong Meng Soon, Mr. Hanafi, Mr. Mahadhir, and Mrs. Norasyiqin, were recognized for their vital contributions to the project’s success.
The MTJA Roadshow 2024 served as a nexus for dialogue and collaboration, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise between MTJA and UTM. Together, they embarked on a journey to push the boundaries of scientific exploration and technological innovation, driven by shared aspirations and collective efforts.
