Academic and International

UMP and MUJ hosted ICAMEN Conference

By: DR. SAIFUL ANWAR CHE GHANI, FACULTY OF MECHANICAL & MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) jointly organised the International Conference on Advances in Mechanical Engineering and Nanotechnology (ICAMEN 2019) on March 9, 2019.

The conference, which was held in Jaipur, India attracted more than 200 research papers from around the world.

UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim, who attended the conference, also delivered a keynote address on UMP’s strategies on excellence and networking in technical university (MTUN).

Other guests included Faculty of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (FKMP) Dean, Professor Dr. Rizalman Mamat, Dr. Saiful Anwar Che Ghani and Dr. Daing Mohamad Nafiz Daing Idris.

MUJ was represented by Dr.. Santosh Patil from the Department of Mechanical.  

Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing said both universities had come up with a lot of ideas that would meet their needs to tap into the global recognition.

“The gathering gave the participants the opportunity to share expertise in a move to further advance the field of teaching, learning and research.

“It will also increase UMP’s visibility at the international level,” he added.

MUJ’s Faculty of Engineering Dean, Professor Dr. Jagannath Korody said the university was now in the midst of reviewing its academic curriculum by including the elements of ‘Outcome Based Education’ or OBE that would correspond to the vocational education (TVET) that was being implemented.

UMP’s delegation also made a courtesy call to MUJ President Dr. JK Prabhu at his office and held discussions including exchange of views on best practices and exploring the possibilities of collaborations between UMP and MUJ.

Present at the meeting was MUJ Faculty of Science Dean Professor Dr. Anoop Kumar Mukhopadhyay.

The official launching of the conference involved watering of trees that marked the symbol of sustainability in education and cooperation between the two universities from two countries.

Alumni Networking

Alumni networking programme fosters greater bond among UMP graduates

By: NURIZZATUL ALIN AHMAD BASTANI, DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS & ALUMNI
Photo By: KAMARULZAMAN SAFIE 

To commemorate the 17th anniversary of the foundation of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), the Alumni Industry Networking Hi-Tea programme for the Northern Zone on March 2, 2019, saw a successful gathering of 60 alumnus, who happily reminisced their student days and campus life at the university. 

Organized by the Alumni Relations Unit of the Department of Student Affairs & Alumni (JHEPA), in collaboration with the Department of Industry Network & Community (JJIM), the hi-tea was held the The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya, Penang.

The event was attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin; accompanied by Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Affairs & Quality), Professor Dato’ Dr. Ishak Ismail; Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industry Network & Community), Professor Dr Jamil Ismail; JHKK Director, Dr. Irene Ting Wei Kiong; Chairman of Working Committee for Industry Network Alumni Platform (INAP), Amir Ashraf Hamzah; and Pro-Registrar, Abd. Rahman Haji Safie.

At the gathering, Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie shared the latest updates on UMP, including a preview of INAP. 

He also exchanged ideas with the alumni, encouraged them to update their contact details into the latest database system and highlighted how importance the alumni’s contributions or endowments would make to help upgrade the university. 

“Alumni are encouraged to update their details in the latest database system at the university, which was upgraded last year,” he said, emphasizing that such move will help foster a stronger bond between the alumni and the university, and it will help UMP keep in touch with them.

Meanwhile, Dr. Irene Ting stressed that the alumni also play a vital role in improving the university’s future ranking, and hence, it is opportune for them to contribute to their alma mater, directly or indirectly.

On that note, Amir Ashraf chipped in, sharing the present structure of INAP’s committee as well as the planned collaborations between the university and its alumni for a long-term positive impact for both parties. 

Commending the networking hi-tea, Muhamad Saiful Azrul Hassan, who graduated in 2016 with a B.Eng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Automotive), said such programme is a good opportunity for him to get to know other alumnus and foster good relationships post their university days. 

“Nothing makes an alumnus happier than to get together with former university friends, and this can also be an effective platform to strengthen the ties between UMP and its alumni,” he exclaimed.

Concurring, another alumnus, Nurul Izzati Pandak Jabo, who graduated with a B.Eng. (Hons) Electrical Engineering (Electronics) said the networking programme must prevail as it helps alumni keep abreast with the latest updates on the university, such as its Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Ranking. 

“With such update, alumni can help the university work on achieving its objective to elevate its ranking,” said Nurul, who was thrilled to celebrate UMP’s 17th anniversary, which fell on February 16, with the other alumnus.

The Alumni Relations Unit is committed to build on the good relations with its members, and endeavours to conduct similar programme for alumni in the Southern and Eastern Zones, as well as for the ones in Borneo.

New Appointment

Associate Professor Dr. Mohd. Ridzuan Darun appointed as UMP new Registrar

Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan Darun has been appointed as the new Registrar and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) for two years effective March 15, 2019.

Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan, 45, is currently the Dean for Faculty of Industrial Management (FIM) and has vast experience in the field of management.

He earned his doctorate degree in accountancy from Lincoln University New Zealand in 2011, his Masters’ Degree in Business Administration from Universiti Utara Malaysia in 2006 and Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Southern Illinois University, USA, in 1999.

He was the MBA Programme Head at FIM for two years before appointed as the faculty’s Dean in 2014.

On his appointment, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Ridzuan said it was a big task that must be carried out diligently and that he was determined to work hand in hand so as to move forward towards excellence.

His first day at the department was greeted by his staff who waited at the Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery lobby in UMP Pekan Campus. 

UMP also announced the appointment of Dzull Zabarrod Ahmad, 57, as the Acting Chief Librarian, effective March 2, 2019, replacing Haji Ruslan Che Pee who retires in service.

Dzull Zabarrod has a master’s degree in information management from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), bachelor’s degree in physics from Universiti Malaya (UM) and an advanced diploma in library science from UiTM. He had previously served at the UITM Library.

Research & Innovation

Palm-O-Lite promotes healthy lifestyle, resolves cooking oil issues

Concerned about the negative habit of Malaysians who love to use more-than-necessary oil when cooking – which tend to result in accumulation of saturated fat in their bodies – three researchers at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) have collaborated to produce Palm-O-Lite, a palm-oil based aerosol to be used in culinary industry to facilitate cooking while simultaneously promoting a healthy lifestyle.
 
Head of Research, Dr. Izan Izwan Misnon, who also lectures at the Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology (FSTI), said, together with Dr. Saifful Kamaluddin Muzakir and Dr. Nazikussabah Zaharuddin, the three came up with the name “Palm-O-Lite” for their research product, after combining the root words palm oil and light – which the latter is supposed to signify low fat intake. 

“Palm-O-Lite is the result of our research efforts, since 2017, to produce a cooking oil that is simple, easy and comfortable to use, which additionally promotes healthy lifestyle.  

“The product also acts as a non-stick agent, reduces fat consumption and gives the cooked dish a more appealing aroma and presentation. 

“To promote palm oil as a value-added alternative in cooking, Palm-O-Lite was formulated and bottled as a culinary aerosol, which now proves suitable to be used in cooking simple dishes, baking cakes and barbecuing,” he highlighted

According to Dr. Izan Izwan, the idea was mooted when often-times there is a penchant for overflow when pouring cooking oil into the frying pan, using existing cooking utensils. 

“Hence, spraying the Palm-O-Lite oil from an aerosol bottle resolves the problem and provides a better alternative.

“Additionally, as a non-stick agent, Palm-O-Lite also helps remove the need to use bakery paper or a layer of oil, when baking cakes or cookies,” he jubilantly added.   

Dr. Izan Izwan stressed that the team also looked into the problems caused by using other cooking oil products in the air-fryer, waffle and takoyaki pans, as well as on the steel grill, where items fried tend to stick to the pans or grill, not to mention the hassles of scrapping the grease or crumbs when cleaning such cooking utensils. 

In terms of product commercialization, the researchers discovered that most supermarkets only sell vegetable cooking oils composed of canola, olive, sunflower seeds and soya base.
 
“In comparison, palm oil-based cooking oil is not genetically modified and free from cholesterol and trans-fat. It only contains 52 percent saturated fat, 38 percent mono-unsaturated fat and 10 percent poly-unsaturated fat.
 
“Furthermore, its Oil Stability Index (OSI) is far better than other vegetable cooking oils’, and is really suitable for cooking dishes at high temperature.

“Notwithstanding such traits, Palm-O-Lite has equivalent nutrients when compared to similar or other cooking oil products currently available in the market,” he quipped, adding that the compounds making up the palm oil-based cooking oil, inclusive of additives, are up to the benchmarked food standards, or E-number; and Palm-O-Lite is nicely packaged into a propellant-filled bottles.
 
“The spraying pressure from the bottle produces a thin layer of non-stick aerosol oil onto the cooking utensils. On average, only some 0.3 to 0.5 gramme of Palm-O-Lite is needed for each cooking session,” said Dr. Izan Izwan.

Palm-O-Lite is produced fully from palm oil, in response to the call from the Ministry of Primary Resources to focus on higher consumption of the country’s palm oil production, to help boost national socio-economic progress, better healthcare provision and, healthy food intake and applications.  

As a net exporter of palm oil, its supply in Malaysia is readily available and much cheaper to obtain, when compared to other cooking oil products. 

Hence, Palm-O-Lite has commercial potentials to be marketed as alternative to or as an additional cooking oil at home, and for use in the bakery, food truck and hotel industries, as well as for outdoor activities (like picnics). 
 
Recently, Mordor Intelligent reported that the global market for vegetable cooking oil is projected to value at some US$190 billion, or RM773 billion, by 2020 – thus, it seems rather realistic to just target 0.1 percent of such market for Palm-O-Lite. 

Presently, the research is at the secondary prototyping stage, and the team has been granted the university’s Lab2Market funding to undertake product development with commercially viable traits. 

Thus far, Palm-O-Lite is formulated for non-stick, frying and barbecuing applications, but with further research, its formula can be improvised to include flavors, such as lemon, for salad preparations, for example, and to add zesty aroma to the cooked dishes.

The research trio is also collaborating with Symbiotech PLT, a symbiotic company under the purview of Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), to explore the appropriate commercial segments to penetrate and conduct market research to promote Palm-O-Lite domestically and globally.
 
Dr. Izan Izwan said he hoped, at the very least, the collaboration will produce a positive outcome for Palm-o-Lite to be well-received in the local market. For this initial phase, Palm-O-Lite is packaged into 200 gramme bottles and sold between RM13 and RM15.

He said the research team will also continue to improvise the bottling design to be more user-friendly, and expressed his wish for Palm-O-Lite to be certified halal with good manufacturing practice (GMP). 

Last year, Palm-O-Lite won the gold medals at the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2018) and Creation, Innovation, Technology & Research Exposition (CITREX 2018). The cooking oil aerosol also took home a bronze medal from the Seoul International Invention Fair 2018 (SIIF 2018). 

Research & Innovation

MDSolution research treats industrial waste-water into clean water

Concern about the environmental impact arising from industrial waste, researcher from the Faculty of Technology Engineering (FTeK) at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), Dr. Nadzirah Mohd Mokhtar, took the initiative to invent a membrane distillation system to treat waste-water from several industries, like rubber, palm oil and textile factories, and food and beverage. 

Code-named MDSolution, this membrane distillation system is wholly formulated at UMP, with the assistance of both academic and technical staff, as well as cooperation from under- and post-graduates students.

According to Dr. Nadzirah, the ongoing research – which commenced in 2017 and a continuation of the one she did for her doctorate degree – examines water quality from various industries by testing them with various membranes.

She discovered that the research output proves waste-water can be treated into clean water, with quality characteristic benchmarked against Standard B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
 
“I can see potentials of expanding this membrane distillation technology to the industries in Malaysia and abroad, as earlier membrane distillation technology was mainly focused on de-crystallization of sodium chloride from sea water.
   
“With direct cooperation from the rubber factory of MARDEC (Malaysian Rubber Development Corporation) Bhd. in Mentakab and the palm oil factory of LCSB (LKPP Corporation Sdn. Bhd.) Lepar in Gambang, waste-water samples for this research were collected under UMP’s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) and University Research Grant (RDU), with total cost of formulating MDSolution amounting to RM40,000,” she highlighted.
  
Dr. Nadzirah explained what the membrane distillation system does is to treat waste-water by producing clouds of vapor when heated waste-water solution turned cold using membrane parting.
 
“The difference in temperature for the two solutions allows for the clean water to pass through the membrane, while the impurities are separated back into the waste-water tank,” she added.

Dr. Nadzirah plans to commercialize the membrane distillation system as it will not only help treat industrial waste-water, but more importantly, it can also produce clean drinking water.

Judging from the results of her latest research, she discovered clean water can be extracted from industrial waste-water, but felt that more research needed to be carried out to test and determine the durability of the membrane distillation system before introducing it to the industries. She plans to conduct the processes of the research on a bigger scale. 

Dr. Nadzirah is hopeful that she can soon introduce the membrane distillation system to the communities and industries, to help resolve industrial waste-water problems. 

She also hopes that she will be able to produce MDSolution in a more efficient, low-cost, easy-to-use and durable form.

To date, MDSolution has won the gold medal and the Green Technology Award at the recent Creation, Innovation, Technology and Research Exposition (CITREX), and last year, it took home the gold medal from the Industry Networking and Business Pitching (Ereka) event held at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).