Curtin Malaysia Chemical Engineering students gain real-world insights at IWK Treatment Plant

Miri, Sarawak – 18 May 2026 – Future chemical engineers from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently stepped beyond the classroom and into one of Malaysia’s key wastewater treatment facilities, gaining first-hand exposure to the complexities of sustainable water management and environmental engineering.

The educational site visit saw third-year Semester 2 Chemical Engineering students travel to the Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Subang Jaya Sewage Treatment Plant as part of their Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes unit. The initiative aimed to strengthen the students’ understanding of industrial wastewater treatment by connecting theoretical concepts with real operational practices.

Hosted by the IWK Subang Jaya team, including Safety Officer Najwa Nazuan, Engineer Mohd. Azri Md. Aris, and Head of Section (Treatment) Thayalan Thannimalai, the students were guided through the plant’s treatment processes, from screening and sedimentation to biological treatment, sludge handling, and dewatering operations.

The visit provided students with rare behind-the-scenes insights into the operational realities of wastewater management, including the technical, financial, and maintenance challenges engineers face in maintaining efficient and sustainable treatment systems.

One student described the experience as eye-opening. “The biggest takeaway was realising that field engineering is more about working within constraints than finding the perfect solution,” the student shared.

Another student highlighted the value of seeing treatment equipment and systems operating in a real industrial environment, noting that the experience brought classroom theories to life.

According to Chemical & Energy Engineering lecturer Dr. Jenny Ngu Lim Song, the visit reinforced the importance of practical exposure in engineering education.

“The students discovered that real industrial systems often operate under practical limitations that differ significantly from ideal textbook scenarios, especially in handling impurities and solid waste,” she said.

She added that the experience deepened students’ understanding of wastewater management and the role engineers play in developing sustainable solutions for environmental protection.

Professor Ir. Stephanie Chan Yen San, Head of Curtin Malaysia’s Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, said the university remains committed to strengthening industry-linked learning experiences that enhance students’ technical competency, critical thinking, and professional readiness.

The educational visit was supported through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic (DVCA) Learning and Teaching Grant under the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) initiative, a collaborative project by Dr. Jenney Ngu, Lai Zhenyue from the Office of Learning and Teaching and Dr. Joanne Castelli from Curtin Perth, reflecting Curtin Malaysia’s continued emphasis on experiential learning and industry engagement.

Curtin Malaysia extends its appreciation to Indah Water Konsortium for hosting the visit and sharing its industry expertise with students, further strengthening collaboration between academia and industry in advancing sustainable engineering education.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Curtin Malaysia students and lecturers with the IWK Subang Jaya team during the educational site visit.