At Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering continues to be a cornerstone of innovation, producing graduates and research outputs aligned with industry priorities.
With a strong emphasis on sustainability, technological integration, and hands-on learning, the department nurtures students who excel academically while delivering practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Its graduates are distinguished for their adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and readiness to thrive in complex environments—traits highly valued in today’s industries. This strength was on display at the Oil and Gas Asia (OGA) 2025 exhibition, where UTP students and young researchers engaged with global industry leaders and visitors.
Among them was Lim Mei Zhen, Civil Engineering student and CHESS competition winner, who co-invented a green material for microalgae harvesting. The project earned a Gold Award at MTE 2025 and was shortlisted among the Top 100 innovations worldwide for Prototypes for Humanity 2025, a platform that gathers groundbreaking solutions from leading universities.
At OGA2025, UTP positioned itself as more than a university—it became a hub where academia, research, and industry converge. Civil Engineering students and researchers engaged in dialogues on translating ideas into practical applications, reflecting UTP’s belief that research must generate meaningful outcomes.
Beyond individual achievements, the exhibition highlighted the culture of academic-industry collaboration the department champions. UTP’s leadership, including President Ir. Mohamed Firouz Asnan, emphasised that engineering education must remain rooted in both academic rigour and professional relevance—a message that resonated strongly throughout the event. For students and young researchers, this was a call to view their work not as isolated projects but as contributions to broader societal challenges.
The presence of young researchers such as Dr Hemamalini Rawindran further illustrated how UTP nurtures talent at every stage of the academic journey. Inspired by the university’s focus on translational research, she and her peers are actively advancing solutions with tangible industrial and societal application.
The support of UTP’s Technology Transfer & IP Management Section and Technology Commercialisation Department further ensured that these innovations gained visibility and opportunities for collaboration.
In essence, UTP Civil and Environmental Engineering exemplifies how mission-driven education and research can produce globally competitive graduates and innovations that matter. From sustainable materials to industry-ready engineers, the department stands as a national leader and an emerging global force in shaping the next generation of civil engineers—committed to safeguarding communities and building a sustainable, intelligent future.
