Engineering consultant shares insights on palm oil industry with Curtin Malaysia chemical engineering students

Miri – 19 June 2023 – Engineering consultant Dennis Tang Boon Yong of Bio To Business Sdn. Bhd. recently gave a hybrid guest lecture to chemical engineering students of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), sharing his insights on the career opportunities in the palm oil industry.

The guest lecture was facilitated by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Student Chapter of Curtin Malaysia, in collaboration with the Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering at the university’s Faculty of Engineering and Science through club advisor Associate Professor Bridgid Chin Lai Fui, who is teaching a unit related to palm oil and oleochemical processing.

With his vast expertise and experience in the palm oil industry, Tang highlighted the importance of the industry to the Malaysian economy and stressed the need for companies to drive innovation, reduce waste, and enhance sustainability.

The lecture covered several topics, including the challenges facing the palm oil industry, and new developments in technology. Being a chemical engineer himself, Tang outlined the vital role chemical engineers play in the palm oil industry, emphasising the significant impact they have on its sustainable growth and development.

The students were given an opportunity to ask Tang questions, making the lecture highly interactive and engaging.

Tang also highlighted the key benefits of process optimisation and carbon accounting in the palm oil industry. These include increased operational efficiency, cost savings, improved regulatory compliance, enhanced reputation, and reduced environmental risks. By optimising processes and adopting sustainable practices, palm oil companies can not only reduce their environmental footprint but also gain a competitive edge in the global market, where sustainability and responsible sourcing are increasingly valued by consumers, investors, and regulatory bodies.

“I was impressed with the depth of knowledge and critical insights shared by Mr. Tang during his lecture,” said Dr. Bridgid Chin, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering. “This lecture exposed the students to the diverse career opportunities available in the palm oil industry, and we believe it will help them make more informed decisions when pursuing their careers.”

Tang has 18 years of experience in the oils and fats industry and more than 10 years of direct hands-on involvement in the biodiesel sector. He has held various technical-oriented positions, from maintenance, project, process engineer roles, to operations, sales, and management positions.

In particular, he has excelled in the realm of process plant engineering, with a particular focus on biodiesel plants. With such extensive experience and expertise, he has a proven track record of successfully undertaking projects involving the construction, retrofitting, debottlenecking, process optimisation, and repurposing of process plants. Currently, he is involved in hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) feedstock pre-treatment processes and supply chain operations.

The guest lecture was part of Curtin University Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to provide its students with relevant and updated information about the industries they are most likely to enter upon graduation.

The IChemE Student Chapter of Curtin Malaysia serves to promote the latest developments and advances in the field of chemical engineering among Curtin Malaysia students as well as create networking opportunities between students and industry professionals.

For more information on the student chapter, email csichemesc@gmail.com, or visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CMIChemESC/ or its website at https://cmichemesc.jimdofree.com.

Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin University’s four-year Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in Chemical Engineering, which is triple-accredited by Engineers Australia, Board of Engineers Malaysia, and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). The course has extensive support and collaboration from industry players, and Curtin Malaysia’s location in Miri, an oil and gas hub, and proximity to industries in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) provides students considerable opportunities for industry exposure and practical learning.

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

Dennis Tang delivering his guest lecture to the students

Group photo of Tang (on screen) with students and lecturer after the guest lecture