JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 16 – The Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT) and the Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) successfully organized the Pre-Conference Workshop on Next Generation Bio-Based Materials: Pioneering Sustainability.
The opening ceremony was led by the Director of IBD, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Rosnani Hasham @ Hisam. In her opening speech, she emphasized UTM’s commitment to achieving sustainable development through impactful research and fostering connections between research outcomes and industry stakeholders. She highlighted that this program aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12) and Climate Action (SDG 13).
Ir. Dr. Jamarosliza Jamaluddin, the Chair of the Program, stated that this workshop is organized in conjunction with the 5th International Conference on Materials Chemistry and Environmental Engineering (CONF-MCEE 2025), which will take place in Türkiye in January 2025. The program was also supported by Alcon (Johor) Sdn. Bhd., serving as an industrial sponsor.
The pre-conference workshop, attended by 30 participants, included researchers, postgraduate students, government agency representatives, and industry professionals. It featured prominent speakers from academia and industry who shared their expertise on various topics. These included an introduction to bio-based materials, bio-based hydrogels, patch fabrication technology, transforming agricultural waste into sustainable paper solutions, utilizing kitchen waste for clean fuel production, and characterization technology for bio-based materials.
To support talent development, the Postgraduate Students Society of the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (PGSS FCEE) organized a poster competition. This event allowed students to showcase their innovative research on next-generation bio-based materials. Four academic staff members from UTM and a representative from the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) judged the competition.
The poster competition winners were Fahim Rithwan from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT), who secured first place; Muhammad Aidil Wafi Rosli from the Faculty of Science, who placed second; and Sharifah Nurain Hussain, who placed third. They received cash prizes of RM200, RM150, and RM100, respectively. Fahim’s poster, which presented a solution for microplastics using microbial degradation, was awarded the People’s Choice Award, earning him an extra RM80.
The workshop included knowledge-sharing sessions and provided networking opportunities for researchers, students, and industry representatives. The MPIB and IBD’s booths showcased their services and initiatives, especially those aimed at supporting sustainable research on bio-based materials.
This workshop reflects UTM’s vision of leading impactful research and delivering innovative solutions to global challenges through strategic collaborations.
