Latest news with #Aqil
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
ITE students' invention to clean machine parts saves local firm 1% in annual water cost
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The TL;DR: Three Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students developed a washer to clean machinery parts for an engineering firm. It says their involvement in a real-life setting is crucial for interns. If you see a problem, 'find a solution for it'. That is what Mr Muhammad Nor Aqil Kamis, 21, said about his project with two schoolmates that was implemented at a local engineering firm. When they were Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students in 2024, they visited Stewart Engineering Works for a school project to assess local companies' environmental impact and come up with solutions to reduce waste. They observed technicians at the firm, which supplies equipment for the marine, oil and gas industries, hosing down machinery parts with diesel fuel and water to clean them after use. This process used lots of fluid that went to waste, so Mr Aqil, Mr Hilman Azman and Mr Calvin Lim worked together to create a washer tank that cleans some components, such as rings, nuts and bolts, in a closed-loop system. During washing, air bubbles are created through the fluid to reduce soaking time. The waste fluids are filtered, then pumped back into the tank to be reused. Compared with manual washing, the tank washes each load 20 minutes faster and saves the company 4 per cent and 1 per cent in annual electricity and water costs, respectively. The work is less strenuous with the washer. 'Before (the staff) used the machine, they only did manual cleaning, then had to refill the fluids. It could be very tiring for them. Now, it's less of a hassle,' said Mr Aqil. He later interned at Stewart Engineering Works along with Mr Hilman and continued working on the washer project. In July , the duo and Mr Lim's project won a merit award at the HSBC-NYAA-ITE SMEs Sustainability Initiative, where students team up with local businesses to reduce waste and emissions. The initiative by the bank, the National Youth Achievement Award and the school was started in 2020. The top three projects won $2,000, $1,500 and $500 in cash, while the next best three received merit awards . The parts' washer tank has a filter to remove debris from the used water and diesel. PHOTO: ITE Mr Kenneth Tan, director of Stewart Engineering Works, said the students' pitch for the project aligned with its goals to reduce emissions. He added that it is important for interns, like Mr Aqil and Mr Hilman, to be exposed to real-life projects. 'They are part of our process, they are not just bystanders.' From April to July 2024, they researched potential solutions, tested prototypes and sourced equipment for the tank. Their project went through some changes, such as adding a lid to the tank to avoid splatter. When the prototype was ready in September 2024, the company installed and used the machine as it was. Mr Hilman and Mr Aqil continued to work on their project as interns at Stewart Engineering Works. PHOTO: ITE During their internship, Mr Aqil and Mr Hilman calculated that the washer tank cuts the firm's yearly carbon emissions from electricity and water use by 3.6 and 6.9 per cent, respectively. 'At first, we weren't 100 per cent sure this was going to be a winning project. But (the reduced water usage) gave us a bit of confidence,' said Mr Hilman. Mr Aqil, Mr Hilman and Mr Lim have since graduated from ITE with a Higher Nitec course in marine and offshore technology. They are now pursuing diplomas in engineering and information technology at Singapore, Republic and Temasek polytechnics respectively. Mr Aqil said seeing their invention making a difference in their colleagues' work was exciting. 'It (also) helped them complete their work on time, which made customers happy.'
New Straits Times
02-08-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Qurratu'ain, Aqil seal golden Masters double for Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia capped a sensational campaign at the Under-18 Asian Junior Championships in Doha with a golden double in the Masters finals on Saturday, courtesy of Qurratu'ain Izdihar Pozi and Aqil Faizal. Qurratu'ain completed a perfect five-out-of-five clean sweep, winning all gold medals at stake in the girls' division, while Aqil claimed his second gold of the tournament after helping Malaysia to the boys' team title on Thursday. It was also a 1-2 finish for Malaysia in the girls' Masters as Qurratu'ain defeated Adelia Nur Syazalee 378-370 in the two-game final. Aqil came from behind to edge Kuwait's Nasser Alkandari 461-404 in the boys' title match. Qurratu'ain continued her dominant form by topping the 16-player roll-off with 3,411 pinfalls over two days to secure the No. 1 seeding for the stepladder finals. Adelia was second on 3,367, while Taiwan's Huang Hsin Teng (3,274) was third. Adelia then ensured the gold would remain with Malaysia by defeating Hsin Teng 269-213 in the one-game semi-final. In the boys' division, Aqil qualified second with 3,834 pinfalls behind Nasser (3,866) and ahead of Hong Kong's Dylan Lam (3,724). Aqil earned his crack at the title by beating Dylan 229-191 in the semi-final before turning the tables on Nasser in the final. With the Masters triumphs, Malaysia added three more medals — two golds and a silver — to their tally, having already secured the overall champions' crown two days earlier. They wrapped up the tournament with a haul of seven golds, one silver and five bronzes, marking possibly their best-ever performance in the championship's history.
New Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Aqil delivers boys' singles bronze at Asian Juniors
KUALA LUMPUR: Just one day after Qurratu'ain Izdihar Pozi's golden heroics, Malaysia added to their medal tally at the Under-18 Asian Junior Bowling Championships in Doha — this time through Aqil Faizal in the boys' singles on Monday. Aqil showed nerves of steel to clinch the bronze medal after registering a six-game total of 1,361 — just 15 pins behind Vietnam's Tan Dat Nguyen, who captured gold with 1,376, edging Thailand's Wilaphut Andrew Wong by a single pin. It marked the second consecutive event where the title was decided by the slimmest of margins — just a single pin — reflecting the fierce level of competition. It was heartbreak for defending champion Wan Zarif Ikram Wan Mazlan, who bowled consistently but came up just short, settling for fourth with 1,360 -- a mere pin off the podium. Team manager Maradona Chok was pleased with the team's continued strong showing. "It's another good momentum boost for us with Aqil adding a bronze to the tally," said Maradona. "What's more encouraging is that our players were right in the mix, with the top spots separated by just a handful of pins. "It shows we've been contending closely throughout, and that's a positive sign heading into the next events." Malaysia had struck gold on Sunday through Qurratu'ain in the girls' singles, giving them a medal haul of one gold and one bronze after two events. The tournament resumes with the boys and girls' doubles events on Tuesday.
The Star
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Timely break as Aqil will shift from court to classroom
Aqil (left) in action during the Asian Junior Championships in South Korea earlier this month. PETALING JAYA: National squash player Aqil Mirza Naim Khairil Fariz (pic) is hitting the books after missing out on the World Junior Championships in Egypt. Malaysia's decision to pull out of the tournament has left 12 rising players, including the 17-year-old Aqil, unable to compete in Cairo following tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Straits Times
Body image issues, mental health problems; why are men afraid to seek help?
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Gender stereotypes and toxic masculinity may point to body image issues in men. Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Outdated stereotypes of what a man should be like continue to exist today, with a new generation of social media influencers like Andrew Tate and Adin Ross producing content that posits to teach men how to be men. But does it make someone any less of a man if they decide to speak up about the issues they face? For years, ST journalist Aqil Hamzah, 28, has grappled with body image issues, but was too afraid to seek help, thinking it wouldn't be the manly thing to do. Years of skipping meals took a toll on his health, and it was only after losing clumps of hair that he decided to seek help for it. In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong unpacks the issues that have plagued her co-host Aqil alongside psychiatrist Adrian Loh, who specialises in child and adolescent psychiatry. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to hire 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Singapore COE prices rise for all categories Business Temasek reports $45 billion rise in net portfolio value to $434 billion Business Singapore finance employers pledge 300 places for trainees and interns from polytechnics Singapore $43k fine for undischarged bankrupt doctor who failed to disclose assets worth over $4m Singapore Female primary school teacher charged over alleged sex acts with underage male student Singapore Goodbye fraudsters? Dating app Coffee Meets Bagel rolls out identity verification Singapore Pritam's appeal against conviction, sentence over lying to Parliament set for Nov 4 The trio then discuss if toxic masculinity has a role to play in men's unwillingness to speak up about their issues. Highlights (click/tap above): 00:56 Why Aqil chose to open up about his issues 03:27 Is BMI an accurate indication for weight management? 08:50 Obsessing over the scales 21:21 What is toxic masculinity and how should people deal with it? 24:51 How role models repeat a vicious cycle & the different reactions to therapy 33:35 The importance of feeling things Read Aqil's article on body image here: Read ST's Opinion section: Follow Aqil Hamzah on LinkedIn: Read his articles: Host: Lynda Hong ( lyndahong@ ) Produced and edited by: Natasha Liew Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: Feedback to: podcast@ --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: Get more updates: The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: Google Play: ---
