Question Time at Monash University Malaysia Campus

Question Time, a forum of senior leaders as panel speakers, was held at Monash University Sunway Campus on 21 October 2015. Green Technology as the theme for this forum, organised by IChemE Young Engineers’ Group (YEG), brought together 35 participants ranging from chemical engineering students to professionals, with the purpose of raising awareness about the overall trends, outlooks, prospects, and challenges in sustainability, environment and green technology in Malaysia.

The forum moderator, Raja Shazrin, committee member of YEG, took the stage to officiate the discussion, firstly introducing the panel comprising of 3 distinguished experts from both academia and industry.

• Dr. Babak Salamati – Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Monash University
• Dato’ Jeffrey Khor – Principal Consultant Fellow (Visiting Proffessor), University Malaysia Pahang.
• Bakhtiar Talhah – Director South East Asia, Institution of Chemical Engineers

 The forum saw much interactive discussion between the panel and the audience, highlighting a diverse scope, ranging from career prospects in green technology, sustainability, strategy and direction between government and industry, and the role of all chemical engineers in building a sustainable future. Dr Babak highlighted the importance of interaction between universities and industry, to enable effective research work to be implemented in industry and at the same time to produce students who can put theory into practical work. Dato’ Jeffrey gave his perspective of sustainability and green technology in the oil and gas industry from his previous work experience with BASF Petronas whilst Bakhtiar contributed insights to the role of how IChemE, the government and industries can collaborate together to a better future of Malaysia and Asia.

Networking and discussions continued over refreshments as the students and younger group of engineers had further questions for the panel speakers. Question Time ended with much knowledge and information shared. Positive feedback has inspired the YEG committee to organise Question Time: Green Technology (Part 2) early next year, 2016.