Curtin Malaysia Chemical Engineering students get real-world insight at Bintulu Edible Oils

Miri, Sarawak – 27 December 2025 – Classrooms came to life for 36 Chemical Engineering students from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) during an industry visit to Bintulu Edible Oils Sdn. Bhd., where they witnessed firsthand how engineering principles are applied in one of Sarawak’s key agro-industrial sectors.

The visit, organised as part of the students’ Process Mass Transfer unit, was supported by the Curtin Malaysia Teaching Support (CMTS) grant and aimed to bridge the gap between theory and industrial practice.

Accompanied by lecturers Dr. Evelyn Chiong, Dr. Angnes Tiong and Dr. Adrian Tiong, the students travelled from Miri to Bintulu, where they were welcomed by Lu Khai Ing, General Manager of Bintulu Edible Oils and a member of Curtin Malaysia’s Industrial Advisory Panel for Chemical Engineering.

Drawing on his extensive experience in the palm oil industry, Lu guided the students through the full production chain – from plantation and harvesting to the refining of crude palm oil into edible products. His session combined technical explanations with practical insights, challenging students with questions that encouraged critical thinking and deeper understanding.

The students described the engagement as both informative and enjoyable, highlighting Lu’s interactive and humorous delivery. Many noted that his emphasis on a growth mindset – continuous learning and learning from mistakes – resonated strongly with their own professional aspirations.

The visit also included a tour of the company’s quality control laboratory, where the students learned about analytical techniques used to test crude and refined oils, as well as the automated cooking oil packing section, offering a glimpse into modern, efficiency-driven industrial operations.

Following the plant tour, the company hosted a refreshment session during which students shared their key takeaways from the visit. Dr. Evelyn Chiong thanked Lu for his generous support and industry insights, and emphasised the importance of such collaborations in strengthening engineering education.

“These industry visits play a vital role in helping students connect what they learn in lectures with real-world processes,” she said. She also expressed appreciation, together with Dr. Angnes Tiong and Dr. Jibrail Kansedo, to Curtin Malaysia’s Office of Learning and Teaching for the CMTS grant that made the visit possible.

Student feedback further underscored the value of the experience, with one participant describing the visit as a “bonus” to the unit, highlighting its success in enhancing learning beyond the classroom.

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

Curtin Malaysia academics and students in a group photo with Lu at Bintulu Edible Oils Sdn Bhd.