PPBKSM ORGANIZED AN INAUGURAL PUBLIC LECTURE FOR TWO PROFESSORS
NIBONG TEBAL, 9 December 2015 – More than 500 staff and students of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) attended the Inaugural Public Lectures of Professor Ir. Dr. Cheong Kuan Yew and Professor Dr. Hazizan Md Akil organized by the School of Minerals & Material Resources at the Auditorium, Engineering Campus, USM here yesterday.
The two professors are academic staff who had been named as Top Research Scientist Malaysia (TRSM) awarded by Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) for their significant contributions in the field of research.
In his speech entitled "Thin Film: Science, Technology and Engineering to Overcome the Energy Crisis”, Cheong Kuan Yew said, the development of the industry, the growth of world population and human’s changing lifestyle has led to the increased energy consumption dramatically, particularly electricity which is normally generated from burning fossil materials such as petrol which is categorized as non-renewable resource.
“Due to the imbalance of consumption and production rate which are creating an energy crisis that needs to be addressed immediately with the implementation of the use of science, technology and thin film engineering”, explained Cheong.
He added, that the study are only confined to two aspects, namely the use of thin film of metal oxide as the main component in producing high-efficiency devices that would save energy during the green resource conversion process to electricity and the use of engineering materials inspired by nature as well as eco-friendly refurbished such as Aloe Vera plant extracts for the purpose of electronic applications.
He had joined USM as an academic staff at the School of Minerals & Material Resources in 2004 after graduating Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in the field of Microelectronics from Griffith University, Australia and had been promoted to Professor in 2014.
Meanwhile, at the same ceremony, Professor Dr. Hazizan Md. Akil had elaborated on the subject of “Polymer Composite Materials: Kenaf Fiber as a Catalyst for a Sustainable Environment Friendly Composite Technology “which has more beneficial compared to metallic materials in corrosive environments due to its high corrosion resistance properties against corrosion agents such as water, hydrogen and oxygen.
The use of natural fibers particularly kenaf which can be found in Malaysia is seen as able to replace glass fibers for the production of polymer composites using the pultrusion method”, explained Hazizan.
He further explained, pultrusion technology is growing in Malaysia and in comparison with other places; this technology has long been used for bridges and architectural monuments in the United States of America as well as European countries.
Hazizan joined USM as an academic staff at the School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering in 2002 after graduating Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in the field of Impact Mechanics for Composite Materials at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, Britain and was promoted to the post of Professor in 2012.
The event was also graced by gifts of bouquet of flowers from family members, industry friends and school as well as a tour of the exhibition at the Auditorium Foyer.
Also present at the public lectures were the Campus Director, Professor Dr. Zainal Arifin Mohd Ishak, deans and university officials.
Translation: Siti Sara Zainal Abidin
Text: Norafiza Osman (
Photos: Bani Faidzzainami Baniyamin (