Curtin Sarawak wins IMM Green Materials Award

Miri – 16 July 2012 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) has been awarded the Institute of Materials Malaysia (IMM) Green Materials Award 2012 for its research into the development of masonry blocks based on waste materials.

The award was announced at the 8th International Materials Technology Conference and Exhibition (IMTCE 2012) held at Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa in Kuala Lumpur recently.

The IMM is a non-profit society of professionals whose aims are to promote honourable practice and professional ethics and encourage education in materials science, engineering and technology.

The IMM Green Materials Award is a new initiative set up by the IMM Green Materials Committee to encourage research into green materials, including their manufacture and utilisation.

Receiving the prestigious award at the IMTCE banquet dinner was the research project leader, Dr. Muhammad Eklasur Rahman.

Dr. Muhammad is a lecturer in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Curtin Sarawak’s School of Engineering and Science. Prior to joining Curtin Sarawak, Dr. Muhammad worked in the construction industry in Dublin, Ireland, for two and half years in the fields of design and assessment of infrastructure elements. He was also a part-time lecturer at the Dublin Institute of Technology for one and a half years.

“Our research project focuses on developing masonry blocks that satisfy the requirements of Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 load-bearing standards in Malaysia through the utilisation of locally available constituent materials, including waste materials. This award further motivates us to continue our efforts in developing sustainable materials for the construction industry,” said Dr. Muhammad.

Also present at the dinner was Curtin Sarawak’s Acting Dean for R&D and Director of the Curtin Sarawak Research Institute (CSRI), Professor Dr. Aaron Goh, who chairs the IMM Rheology Committee.

“Dr. Muhammad’s research is part of Curtin Sarawak’s endeavours in researching and developing solutions for a more eco-friendly environment. We have, for example, been actively working towards achieving zero waste in the oil palm industry, developing methods to convert wastes into material or energy sources,” remarked Professor Goh.

Professor Goh added that recognition by IMM, which is the key professional body for materials in Malaysia, is a significant achievement for the university and thanked the IMM Green Materials Committee for the award.

Dr. Muhammad receiving the award from IMM President Professor Dr. Mohamad Kamal Harun.