Overview

The University Roadshow is organised by UPM Chemical Engineering Student Society (ChESS). It is supported by POPSIG in conjunction with MPOC. The roadshow aims to provide an understanding about the manufacturing process and the sustainable development in palm oil industry through a series of interactive events.

Objectives

1. To connect the students with the industry and professional organisations.
2. To understand the manufacturing process in palm oil industry.
3. To understand the contributions of palm oil industry to the UN SDGs.
4. To identify the ESG challenges, opportunities and contributions from the Malaysian palm oil industry.
5. To provide a platform to exchange views and suggestions between the students and the professionals.
6. To provide an opportunity for the students to visit the manufacturing environment.

Speakers

Vijaya Subramaniam, Head of Peat Ecosystem and Biodiversity Unit, Biology and Sustainability Research Division, Malaysian Palm Oil Board

Dr Vijaya Subramaniam is currently attached to the Biology and Sustainable Research Division in Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). She holds the post of Special Grade Research Officer and is the Head of Peat Ecosystem & Biodiversity Unit.

Her areas of expertise are in the discipline of Life Cycle Assessment for palm oil and the oil palm industry, water footprint, carbon footprint, sustainability and climate change, recovery of residual oil (waste to wealth program), indirect land use change (ILUC), Social LCA and LCSA. She has published over 42 scientific journal articles and 11 book chapters in her field and has received more than 20 awards.

Tan Chee Yong, Manager, Technical Outreach & Extension Service, Malaysian Palm Oil Certification Council

Tan Chee Yong joined MPOCC in July 2017 as an officer in the Supply Chain Unit of MPOCC before being promoted as Manager of the Government Liaison Unit. Currently, he is leading the Technical Outreach & Extension Service Unit with the task of providing technical support to the palm oil industry in MSPO certification. 

With his background in holding a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biotechnology from the University Science of Malaysia (USM), he possesses vast experience in areas of policy development and implementation, industry and government relations, project management and planning. 

Prior to MPOCC, he was an officer in the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) Malaysia, where he was involved in developing Malaysian Biofuel policy and implementation, specifically in palm biodiesel.​

Zamakhshari Muhamad, General Manager, Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation

Zamakhshari is the General Manager of Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF). He graduated as BSc. in Pharmaceutical Science from John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom. He then completed his Master in Business Administration (MBA) at Universiti Utara Malaysia.

Currently, he is doing his PhD in Strategic Management at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan.

Denny Ng, Chair, Academic Research on Palm Oil Sustainability

Professor Ir. Dr. Denny K. S. Ng is Chair of Academic Research on Palm Oil Sustainability (ARPOS). He is also serving as Head of School, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Malaysia. Prof Ng is well published over 220 papers with an h-index of 40. His areas of specialisation include net zero optimisation, optimisation of sustainable value chain of palm oil industry, energy management, resource conservation via process integration techniques, synthesis and analysis of biomass processing and integrated bio refineries.

He is active in various professional bodies, which include IChemE, Young Scientist Network - Academy of Sciences Malaysia, etc. He is fellow of IChemE, UK; fellow of The Higher Education Academy, UK; Chartered Engineer, Engineering Council, UK; Professional Engineer, Board of Engineers, Malaysia; ASEAN Professional Engineer; Member, Institution of Engineers, Malaysia; Secretary General of Young Scientist Network - Academy of Sciences Malaysia, etc. With his excellence contributions, he received various international and national recognitions.

Calvin Chok Vui Soon, Head of Technology, KL-Kepong Oleomas Sdn Bhd

Dr. Chok is a chemical engineer with 20 years of experiences in wide range of industries, for example, oleochemicals, industrial gases, drilling chemicals, nanocarbon and also in academic/research institution. He obtained a doctorate degree from Curtin University and is a Professional Engineer with BEM and Chartered Engineer with IChemE.

He started his career as process engineer and has developed know-how in hydrogen production from multi-feedstocks. He was also a former technology manager at a biofuel company and developed green chemicals for oil and gas industries via a joint venture company.

Currently, he is the Technology Manager at KL-Kepong Oleomas, an oleochemical manufacturer that produces methyl ester, fatty alcohol and other. He has worked at UTP as research fellow and was an adjunct professor at Curtin and UCSI university.

He published numerous journals/conference papers, and book chapters. He is also a co-inventor for a few patents.

The material presented has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter’s own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Palm Oil Processing Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Targeted participants

Tertiary education students.

Acknowledgement

POPSIG gratefully acknowledges the support provided by Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) that has supported POPSIG-MPOC Palm Oil Educational Roadshow since 2019. MPOC is a corporate body with a mission to promote the market expansion of Malaysian palm oil and its product by enhancing the image of palm oil and creating better acceptance through awareness of various technological and economic advantages (techno-economic advantages) and environmental sustainability.

Disclaimer: IChemE will not be storing or controlling any data linked to this event.