Overview

IChemE Student Chapter Festival 2022 was organised by IChemE-UM Student Chapter, collaborated with UNM IChemE SC and supported by Palm Oil Processing Special Interest Group (POPSIG). The theme of the 2022 event was "Engineering Drives Modernisation; Manufacturing Sustains Mankind".

Pictured from left to right, top to bottom: Loke Qiao Min (Executive of Protocol Department), Kumaran A/L Krishnan (Production Manager at KL-Kepong Oleomas Sdn Bhd), Ng Wai Hoong (Director), Devin Chen Yung Kang (Head of Protocol Department), Hau Xin Yi (Vice Director), Wong Shin Yee (Treasurer), Ong Xiang Geok (Vice Director), Yong Jia Xin (Head of Program and Activities Department).

Learning outcomes

The programme aimed to strengthen bonding among engineering undergraduates through various interactive activities. It also facilitated the exposure of the participants to the real world of chemical engineering, and to increase awareness to various sectors.

Speeches

Gan Kai Ying, President of IChemE-UM SC Session 2021-2022, University of Malaya
President Gan shared that IChemE Student Chapter Festival 2022 is a nationwide event that aimed to connect all the student chapters in Malaysia, as well as to expose undergraduate students to a variety of chemical engineering fields. This year, the theme highlighted the manufacturing industry, which is closely related to the engineering field. She hoped the participants to grab this opportunity to have a closer look at the sector.

Tharshinye Soomaran, Country Manager of IChemE Malaysia
Tharshinye was delighted to see the event promoting IChemE among students as well as exposing the participants to the real world of chemical engineering. Malaysia entered the fifth decade since the chemical engineering programme first started in the nation. In 1974, UM, the oldest university in Malaysia, started its undergraduate programme, while UTM and UKM began the course in 1983 and 1984, respectively. IChemE has been in Malaysia for 16 years, and it plays a vital role in promoting advancement of knowledges. Student chapters are unique to Malaysia, and they have been a real success stories for IChemE Malaysia.

Professor Ir Dr Law Chung Lim, Chair of IChemE in Malaysia
Professor Law hoped that the students could expand their horizons and have a better understandings about chemical engineering. He added that cognitive and metacognitive skills, social and emotional skills, and practical and physical skills are critical skills for the future of education. He hoped the participants could expand their network within IChemE.

Professor Ir Dr Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development), University of Malaya
Professor Abdul Aziz highlighted that human civilisation is still taking place in different dimensions. Everyone has a role to play in modernising and civilising human kind. He shared that chemical engineering fundamentals remain the same as time flies, however, opportunities to learn and to enable have developed.

Ng Wai Hoong, Director of IChemE Student Chapter Festival 2022, University of Malaya
Director Ng expressed his sincere gratitude to all the VIPs, speakers, and collaborators who have contributed to the 2022 festival by conducting enlightening and inspiring talks and site tour sessions. He and his team were honoured to have the support from all sponsoring partners, which have motivated and prompted the committee to upscale the festival towards a higher level. He expressed his sincere appreciation to all the committees who spent countless days and nights in preparation for this festival, and a shout out to the supporting partner, POPSIG for the assistance.

Industrial sharing sessions

Senior Technologist at KLK OLEO Dr Jaybalan A/L Tamahrajah pinned that Industry 4.0 (4IR) is the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. Palm oil industry is using satellite imaging, computer image processing and data analytics to troubleshoot problems. He added that MSPO certification scheme is in place to ensure the sustainable development within the industry.

Associate Professor at University of Nottingham Malaysia, Ir Dr Hii Ching Lik presented that positive economic growth were forecasted for F&D sector. Chemical engineering fundamentals are keys to a better understanding of many food unit operations.

Senior Engineering at Top Glove Corp Bhd Lim Jihn Yih presented that HQ and factories engineers work closely to produce gloves at low cost and bring benefits to the industry. He added that chemical engineers have roles to play in utility savings and R&D departments. 

Virtual site tour of palm oil industry

Production Manager at KLK OLEO Kumaran A/L Krishnan highlighted that 10% of the oil can be extracted from the tree, whereas the remaining are the biomass. From fresh fruit bunch, crude palm oil and crude palm kernel oil are the key products. Oil palm fronds and trunk constitute plantation residuals, while palm oil mill residual includes palm kernel cake, palm kernel shell, empty fruit bunch, mesocarp fibre and POME.

Kumaran also presented several palm oil-based products that are used in daily life. For examples, emulsifiers, foam boosters, soap bases, sweeteners, food colourants, lubricant additives, biodiesels, detergents, wetting agents, antioxidants, solubilisers, surfactants and cleansing agents.

Kahoot challenge

Congratulations to Tan You Qi (UM), Ng Xin Tong (UM), Lim Xiao Syuen (UNM), Huey Sze (UNM) and Gary Hor Kai Lun (UM) for winning the prize sponsored by Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).

Document

View the summary (PDF) of the event.

Best post-event report award

Congratulations to Ng Wai Hoong from the University of Malaya for being awarded POPSIG Best Post-event Report Award, sponsored by MPOC. The report will be published in POPSIG Newsletter Issue 20 (2022).

Acknowledgement

POPSIG appreciated the organisation provided by IChemE-UM Student Chapter. POPSIG gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship for activities supported by Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).