Curtin Sarawak research projects showcased at PECIPTA 2015

Miri – 15 December 2015 – Two research projects by postgraduate students of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) were showcased at the 14th International Conference and Exposition on Inventions by Institutions of Higher Learning (PECIPTA 2015) held from 4 to 6 December at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

PECIPTA is a biannual event jointly organised by the Ministry of Education and selected institutions of higher learning since 2001 where the institutions of higher learning showcase their research projects funded by the Ministry.

It was the first time Curtin Sarawak participated in the event. Representing the campus were PhD candidates Wong Siew Fan and Caleb Acquah, accompanied by Head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Curtin Sarawak’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, Associate Professor Sharul Sham bin Dol.

Wong and Caleb presented their respective research projects, ‘Experimental Study on Effects of Emulsion in Crude Oil Pipeline Flow’ and ‘High Throughput Aptameric Detection and Screening of Pathogens’.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Sharul, who is Wong’s supervisor, took the opportunity to promote Curtin Sarawak’s Turbulence and Energy Research Laboratory for potential collaboration.

PECIPTA aims to showcase the creations and innovative products and services of the participating Malaysian and international institutions of higher education. It also creates networking and collaboration opportunities for participants to develop prototypes and commercialise their products.

502 innovative projects relating to providing solutions to industry, market-driven products and commercialisation of ideas were showcased, creating an opportunity for businesses to connect with participants from public and private universities, polytechnics and community colleges.

Academia-industry partnership has become a subject of interest to industry, academics and policy makers, bringing together innovative research, development and commercialisation for the creation of new knowledge and networking opportunities.

According to Associate Professor Sharul, this is reflected in Curtin Sarawak’s research progression over the last few years and its securing numerous research grants from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Exploratory Research Grant Scheme (ERGS), Prototype Research Grant Scheme (PRGS) and Science Fund.

Associate Professor Sharul and Wong at the Curtin Sarawak booth.

Caleb explaining his project to a visitor.

Scene at PECIPTA 2015.