Overview

POPSIG-MPOC Palm Oil Educational Roadshow @ UPM 2023 was organised by UPM-Chemical Engineering Student Society (ChESS). The event was co-organised by Palm Oil Processing Special Interest Group (POPSIG), in conjunction with Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).

Objectives

• To explain the roles of chemical engineer in the palm oil industry to the pre-university students.
• To understand the contributions of palm oil industry to the UN SDGs.
• To recognise the roles of chemical engineer in addressing SDG3, SDG7, SDG8, SDG12, SDG13.
• To understand the application of life cycle analysis, circular economy, wildlife management and social impacts in sustainable palm oil industry.
• To develop the leadership skills among the pre-university students.
• To understand sustainable palm oil processing in industry.

Opening speeches

Yang Berbahagia Professor Dr Robiah Binti Yunus, Universiti Putra Malaysia
YBhg Professor Dr Robiah welcomed the guests to UPM for POPSIG-MPOC Palm Oil Educational Roadshow. She hoped the students could gain more knowledge through the event.

President Wong Zhong Han, President of UPM-Chemical Engineering Student Society 2022-2023
President Wong emphasised that palm oil played a significant role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations. He shared that palm oil contributed to poverty alleviation, zero hunger, affordable and clean energy, and climate protection. He believed that the roadshow provided a platform to explore and understand the palm oil industry. This roadshow would inspire UPM students to consider a career in the palm oil industry and contribute to its sustainable development. The President also hoped that this event will strengthen ties between academia and industry, leading to new partnerships and collaborations. President Wong became the first President to officiate the first post-pandemic physical POPSIG-MPOC Palm Oil Educational Roadshow.

Keynote presentations

Dr Vijaya Subramaniam (MPOB) underlined that Malaysia was the second largest export country of palm oil. She described that BOD5 level of palm oil waste was very high. She briefed on the production line of palm oil. Life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) referred to the evaluation of all environmental, social and economic positive and negative impacts, as well as benefits in decision-making processes towards more sustainable products throughout their life cycle.

Mr Tan Chee Yong (MPOCC) described MSPO Principle 4: social responsibility, health, safety employment conditions. He presented the improved handling and storage of chemicals, improved estate fertiliser store. He discussed employees' safety and health, employment conditions, and living conditions. He shared to the students about the job opportunities in the sustainable palm oil industry, for example, sustainability officer, auditor, consultant and subject matter expert.

YBrs Professor Ir Dr Denny Ng (ARPOS/Sunway University) presented the integrated biorefinery where biomass can be used for combined heat and power (CHP) via thermal chemical pathway and biological pathway. The circular economy model optimises the value chain based on carbon emissions, waste generation, profitability and social aspects.

Teh Tarik session

Mr Zamakhshari Muhamad (MPOGCF) and Ir Dr Calvin Chok Vui Soon (KLK OLEO) joined the panel to share the opinions and suggestions to the students.

During the student-panel exchange, seven participants involved in the panel discussion, namely: Wong Zhong Han, Koo Zhun Wai, Tan Pei Sing, Tay Rui Era, Wan Nur Atikah Bt Wan Md Jalal Azmi, Al hajri Hedaya Ibrahim Said Hilal and Chiew Weng Lam.

The following topics were raised by the participants:

• Challenges faced by the small farmers in adopting the advanced technology to improve their operations
• Roles of AI in chemical engineering
• Land use change
• Regional ban on palm oil in biofuel
• Similarity between palm oil and oil and gas industries
• Influencing stakeholders

Document

View the summary (PDF) of the event.
View the event photos (PDF).

Prizes

Congratulations to the winners of the Kahoot challenge and forum engagement prizes. The report will be published in POPSIG Newsletter Issue 23 (2023).

Image

From left to right: Ir Dr Calvin Chok Vui Soon (Technology Manager at KLK Oleomas Sdn Bhd), Dr Vijaya Subramaniam (Head of Peat Ecosystem and Biodiversity Unit, Biology and Sustainability Division, MPOB), YBrs Professor Ir Dr Denny Ng (Chair of ARPOS, Dean and Professor in the School of Engineering and Technology at Sunway University), Mr Tan Chee Yong (Manager, Technical Outreach and Extension Service Unit, MPOCC), Mr Zamakhshari Muhamad (General Manager of MPOGCF).

Acknowledgement

POPSIG appreciated the organisation provided by UPM-Chemical Engineering Student Society (ChESS).

POPSIG gratefully acknowledges the support provided by Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) to POPSIG-MPOC Palm Oil Educational Roadshow.

POPSIG gratefully appreciated the contributions of the representatives from MPOB, MPOCC, MPOGCF, KLK OLEO and ARPOS.