Latest news with #UniversitiTunkuAbdulRahman
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Engineering wins for UTAR duo
ACADEMIC research is vital for finding solutions to real-world problems. In the field of engineering, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) recently demonstrated its capacity to contribute to more sustainable and cost-effective practices through the work of two of its academics. As a nod to their research excellence, UTAR Centre for Railway Infrastructure and Engineering chairperson Assoc Prof Dr Chua Kein Huat and Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science Dr Kuan Seng How received awards for the presentation of their respective research at two major events last month. Chua's efforts to improve railway system efficiency earned him the Best Oral Presentation Award in the Transportation Systems Track at the 2025 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Industry Applications Society (IEEE IAS) Annual Meeting Incorporating the Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Asia Conference. His research, titled Impact of Track Elevation and Curvature on Regenerative Braking Energy Recovery in DC (Direct Current) Third Rail Systems, found that track elevation has the most significant impact on overall train energy consumption, paving the way for innovative solutions in the design and optimisation of energy-efficient railway infrastructure. 'By improving energy recapture, this helps railways reduce power consumption, lower operational costs and decrease carbon emissions. 'For society, this means more sustainable urban and intercity transit with reduced environmental impact. For the rail industry, it enhances the cost-effectiveness of electrified networks, supporting the transition to greener transportation infrastructure,' he explained. Chua said winning the award validated the hard work behind his research and reinforced his passion for transportation systems. He added that the 2025 IEEE IAS Annual Meeting, held in New Taipei City, Taiwan, from June 15 to 20, was an enriching experience, offering exposure to cutting-edge advancements, opportunities to exchange insights with experts, and avenues to collaborate on solutions for future mobility challenges. This year, the meeting featured a diverse array of research tracks and attracted submissions of more than 300 research papers from across the globe. Meanwhile, Kuan won the Best Presentation Award at the 13th Asia Conference on Mechanical and Materials Engineering (ACMME 2025). His presentation, titled Morphological, Structural and Chemical Analysis of Bioleached Kaolin by Bacillus Species, showcased his study on improving the purity of kaolin, an industrial mineral commonly used in manufacturing. Exploring bioleaching, he found a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional methods, which are often energy-intensive and ineffective in removing ultra-fine iron impurities. The presence of iron, particularly in the form of oxides or oxyhydroxides, contributes to a reddish or brownish tint that lowers kaolin's commercial value. By using the 1,10-phenanthroline colorimetric method, Kuan observed increasing trends in iron reduction until the sixth day of bioleaching, followed by a gradual decrease over the remaining days of the ten-day experiment. Reflecting on the achievement, Kuan said the recognition motivates him to continue contributing to meaningful discussions in the community. He also acknowledged the contributions of his co-authors, including UTAR academics Prof Dr Chong Kok Keong and Assoc Prof Dr Steven Lim, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academic Dr Sylvia Chieng, and UTAR PhD candidate Monisha Rajamohan. At the ACMME 2025, hosted by the Tokyo University of Science, Japan, from June 18 to 21, Kuan also had the opportunity to chair a poster session. He said the conference allowed him to achieve key objectives, including sharing outcomes from his UTAR Fundamental Research Grant Scheme-funded project, receiving valuable feedback, and networking with fellow academics. He further noted that the presentations – which covered topics such as light-actuated artificial muscles, microfluidic fluorescent nanodiamonds, and open-atmosphere laser nitriding – broadened his understanding of emerging technologies in the field. The ACMME 2025 saw the attendance of over 150 participants from around the world.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Stronger oversight, accountability a must for infrastructure projects
AS Malaysia continues to expand its transport network with ambitious projects like MRT3, MCA Youth firmly believes that public safety must be the cornerstone of all infrastructure development. Recent incidents, such as the Jalan Masjid India sinkhole which claimed the life of a woman from India, serve as stark reminders of the devastating consequences when safety is compromised and maintenance ignored. These tragedies are not merely accidents but systemic failures that underscore the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how we approach infrastructure planning, construction and maintenance. Safety cannot be an afterthought. It must be embedded from the earliest stages of design, with rigorous risk assessments, adherence to global standards, and robust engineering redundancies. Experts like Associate Professor Bernard Saw Lip Huat of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman's Faculty of Engineering and Science rightly warn that cutting corners in safety jeopardises lives and erodes public trust, which is far costlier to restore than investing properly from the outset. Equally critical is the need for consistent funding for maintenance, as highlighted by Associate Professor Wan Mazlina Wan Mohamed of the Malaysia Institute of Transport, who advocates allocating 2.5% of GDP annually to preventive upkeep -- a benchmark aligned with global best practices. However, our challenges extend beyond technical solutions. Fragmented oversight among agencies like APAD, LLM, and CIDB creates gaps in enforcement and coordination, particularly at project interfaces near schools or hospitals. To address this, we propose three key measures: Prioritise safety in procurement criteria and contract awards. Expand public engagement to incorporate community feedback in risk assessments. Invest in training for regulators and contractors to align with evolving global standards. The recent example of KLIA's Aerotrain -- where 2,000km of fault-free testing preceded public operation -- demonstrates that delays for safety are not setbacks but necessities. Let this be our standard. As Malaysia progresses, we must reject the false dichotomy between speed and safety. Infrastructure is the backbone of our nation's future; it must be resilient, reliable and above all, safe for every citizen who relies on it. MIKE CHONG YEW CHUAN Deputy Chairman MCA National Youth
The Star
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Esther overcomes biggest fear to clinch title on home soil
PETALING JAYA: National triathlete Esther Joy Chen stole the show at the World Triathlon Development Regional Cup, delivering a dramatic comeback to clinch the women's title on home soil – her second international triumph in just two months. Racing in front of a supportive local crowd at the scenic Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) campus in Kampar, the 22-year-old overcame her biggest fear – the swim – before powering through the bike and producing a storming final surge on the run to snatch a memorable victory. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
New Straits Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Esther conquers fear, claims triathlon title on home soil
KUALA LUMPUR: : National triathlete Esther Joy stole the show at the World Triathlon Development Regional Cup on Saturday, delivering a dramatic comeback to clinch the women's title on home soil — her second international triumph in just two months. Racing in front of a supportive local crowd at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Kampar, the 22-year-old overcame her biggest fear — the swim — before powering through the bike and producing a storming final surge on the run to snatch a memorable victory. "I'm quite happy. My fear has always been the swim, so I've been training a lot on it," said Esther, who clocked 1:07:18s to beat Indonesia's Renata Berliana Aditya (1:07:36) and Singapore's Herlene Natasha Yu (1:08:01). "Although we don't have many open-water places to train in Malaysia, I've just been swimming a lot in general. The bike was as good as it could get — four of us on the bike trying to drop each other — and I just tried my best to hold the gap. "I really didn't expect to catch anybody on the run. I was just happy to catch the first person. Then the crowd kept shouting 'one more!' and I had the shock of my life when I came back and was first!" Saturday's win added to her recent gold at the Southeast Asia Triathlon Federation Championships in Lumut last month, and marked her final international outing before the SEA Games in December, where she hopes to earn national selection. In the men's race, Isaac Tan reinforced his status as Malaysia's top male triathlete by emerging as the fastest home finisher, placing 12th overall in 1:01:29. However, the 20-year-old admitted to feeling disappointed after falling short of expectations, especially after his victory at the World Triathlon Development Regional Cup in Tam Chuc, Vietnam in April. "I feel it's a five out of ten," said Isaac. "Particularly didn't do well on the bike. The swim and the run were good. Timing-wise, I'm not sure if I'm happy or not, but the effort is important. Anyway, we're going to continue to buckle up strong. "It was a lot different than in Vietnam. There were a lot of strong competitors here, especially the Koreans. I'm still not sure what will be my next race, but I'm going to prepare well for the SEA Games." Indeed, South Korea were a dominant force in Kampar, sweeping the men's podium through Kim Seong-sik (58:09), Choi Gyu-seo (58:15) and Jeong Woo Sik (58:22), while also topping the junior women's race through Park Seo-eun (1:06:11). "We decided to bring a large team this time because many of our junior athletes are already familiar with this event — some of them raced here last year as well," said South Korea manager Mok Lee. "Our focus is on giving our athletes as many opportunities as possible to compete in international events like this. The more experience they gain, the better their performances will become. "Korea last qualified a triathlete for the Olympics in 2012. Since then, we've been working hard to grow our talent pool so that we can return to the Olympic stage." RESULTS World Triathlon Development Regional Cup Men: 1. Kim Seong-sik (Kor) 58:09s, 2. Choi Gyu-seo (Kor) 58:15, Jeong Woo Sik (Kor) 58:22; Best Malaysian: 12. Isaac Tan 1:01:29. Women: 1. Esther Joy (Mas) 1:07:18, 2. Renata Berliana Aditya (Ina) 1:07:36, 3. Herlene Natasha Yu (Sgp) 1:08:01. Asia Triathlon Junior Cup Men: 1. Ramazan Ainegov (Kaz) 58:46, 2. Seymur Anthony Caglayan (Tur) 58:56, 3. Yelmurat Kanay (Kaz) 59:02; Best Malaysian: 19. Yap Qi Yi 1:01:37. Women: 1. Park Seo-eun (Kor) 1:06:11, 2. Kayla Nadia Shafa (Ina) 1:06:22, 3. Diana Biktimirova (Uzb) 1:07:16; Best Malaysian: 21. Koh Pao Yee 1:21:03.
The Star
13-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Advancing post-transplant care
Triumphant: Dr Sharifah Shahnaz with her award. SURGERIES carry the risk of infections – including transplants. In Malaysia, where cytomegalovirus (CMV) prevalence is high, hospitals face the challenge of CMV infections following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Recognising this, Dr Sharifah Shahnaz Syed Abd Kadir, a consultant haematologist at Hospital Ampang, conducted research on the topic, which she recently presented at the 28th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Malaysian Society of Transplantation. Her effort clinched first prize in the Best Paper Oral Presentation category, earning her a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize of RM1,000. Themed 'Compassion to Cure: The Transplant Journey', the conference, held from May 22 to 24 at a hotel in Selangor, convened experts and scholars committed to improving transplantation outcomes. Dr Sharifah Shahnaz – a third-year Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) student at the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences – expressed gratitude for the honour. 'This award affirms the significance of our work in advancing transplant-related care, especially in resource-limited settings. 'It motivates me to pursue impactful research that bridges immunology and clinical practice, and opens doors to collaboration and further innovation,' she said in a press release. Titled Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection/Disease and CMV-Specific Cell-Mediated Immunity (CMI) after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT) in a High CMV Seropositivity Rate Population, Dr Sharifah Shahnaz's research project involved a study at Hospital Ampang, where she followed 72 transplant patients and employed the QuantiFERON-CMV assay to evaluate immune responses post-transplant. Her research found that early impaired immunity and the presence of gut graft-versus-host disease were key predictors of CMV infection – insights that could significantly inform post-transplant care. These findings underscore the importance of immune monitoring and point towards the integration of immunological markers into clinical risk models for better patient outcomes. Her success is also a reflection of the mentorship provided by her supervisors, Assoc Prof Dr Leong Pooi Pooi and Emeritus Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng from UTAR, as well as Dr Tan Sen Mui from Hospital Ampang, the press release read. It added that the achievement illustrates UTAR's ongoing commitment to fostering high-calibre medical research that addresses real-world healthcare challenges.
