Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is collaborating with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (DID) to share expertise, technology and resources for a sustainable conservation of the environment.

Under this Memorandum of Understanding, UTP, through its Institute of Self-Sustainable Building for Smart Living (ISB), and DID will work together in the areas that include but not limited to coastal hydraulics and offshore engineering, internship programme, joint research and development activities, staff development programmes, joint publications of research outcomes, journal access and sharing of laboratory facilities and expertise.

The MoU was signed on 14 January 2019 by UTP Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohamed Ibrahim bin Abdul Mutalib and DID Director General Dato' Ir Dr Hj Md Nasir bin Md Noh.  

Witnesses of the MoU signing were UTP Chief Strategy Officer Ir Dr Aidid bin Chee Tahir and DID Director of Human Capital Development Division Ir Norizan binti Abdul Aziz.  Also present was Perak DID Director Dato' Ir Dr. Hj Ahmad Anuar bin Othman.                    

According to Mohamed Ibrahim, it is important for UTP to link with government agencies to remain competitive and relevant to the industry and nation at large.  This is also in line with UTP's mission to expand its frontiers of technology and education for the betterment of society.

"The university is extremely appreciative of the support and we hope that this is the beginning of a dynamic relationship with DID. This collaboration will give an opportunity for our researchers to work together with professionals at DID," he said.

UTP ISB leads the research and innovation in green and clean (GLEAN®) technologies for buildings, in the areas of energy, materials, water and waste, and their impacts on social and community well-being.  

It also seeks to discover inventions and innovations as well as best practices in buildings and communities which are sustainable and environmentally friendly.   

The Institute has also collaborated with DID Manjong District Perak for coastal erosion at Teluk Nipah and mangrove restoration at Tanjung Kepah, Lekir.  

These projects are part of UTP's University Social Responsibility (USR) initiatives which focus on conserving the environment to build sustainable societies. 

Moving forward, UTP hopes to collaborate with Kuala Gula Department of Forestry for mangrove conservation.