Latest news with #EnergyGlobeAward
The Star
25-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
UTP's water cube back in global race
WINNING an award for their water purification innovation three years ago turned out to be just the beginning for a group of students. Determined to take their project further, the winners of the 'RAPID Award' at the 2022 ChemE Cube Competition in Arizona, United States, entered it in another competition last year. Their enterprising spirit was recently rewarded when they were named the National Winner for Malaysia at the 2024 Energy Globe Award. The team's 'ShuiNew' water purification innovation. Calling themselves the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) ChemE Cube Team, the group of six comprises Poh Ching Hong (team lead), Kenneth Chong Yih Haur, Foo Jia Wen, Yap Wei Cheng, Liew Lih Xua and Low Chen Khang – all 24-year-old undergraduates pursuing engineering degrees at UTP in various disciplines, namely chemical, electrical and electronics, and mechanical engineering. According to Chong, the Energy Globe National Awards were presented at the country level across more than 180 participating nations. 'The best projects from each country will be nominated for the Energy Globe World Award soon,' he told StarEdu. Having received the national award on Feb 4, Chong expressed his team's hope of being nominated for the international stage in Austria. 'If we win at the international level, it can assist us in seeking funding opportunities for small-scale production,' he said. Describing his team's 'ShuiNew' innovation as compact and cost-effective, Chong said the water purification device is designed to tackle clean water challenges in developing regions. 'This one-cubic-foot setup utilises chlorination, coconut shell-based activated carbon adsorption, and ceramic membrane separation to remove up to 99.99% of chlorine, bacteria and viruses – providing a sustainable and accessible solution for communities lacking safe drinking water,' he said. He added that the system aims to purify at least 25 litres of surface water per day and meet the required drinking water standards at low cost. 'We came up with this idea considering that in Malaysia, access to clean water is still inconsistent and limited, especially in rural areas. 'As ShuiNew is portable, it uses lower energy input, resulting in significantly lower manufacturing costs compared to existing solutions. Consequently, it is more affordable,' he explained. Chong shared that their latest recognition at the Energy Globe Award further validates its potential global impact. 'It gives us the motivation to work harder to contribute to the community in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation),' he said. He shared that the team is actively looking for partners who can help to refine the product, and further develop and commercialise the system. 'The advantage of the system is that it is modular, allowing for more flexibility and scalability, instead of requiring a scale-up from a small prototype, which is often more challenging from an engineering perspective,' he said. To students looking to develop impactful innovations, Chong had this to say: 'Don't be afraid to take on challenges, especially as engineers are often required to solve problems innovatively. 'Having supportive teammates can help delegate tasks and solve problems together.' He also said having supportive advisers is just as crucial, adding that his team was under the guidance of the then-UTP lecturer Dr Chuah Chong Yang. 'We'd also like to acknowledge the UTP Centre for Student Development for providing financial support for the construction of the cube, as well as the UTP Robotics Society (Petrobots) for the workspace and tools,' he said. Urging students to participate in science, technology and innovation competitions, he said it is necessary to stay informed about recent advancements. 'We hope that our achievement will motivate younger students to participate in such competitions,' he said. Held annually since 2000, the Energy Globe Award is presented by the nonprofit Energy Globe Organization based in Austria. Its aim is to highlight outstanding sustainable and impactful solutions addressing global environmental challenges. Charis, 22, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities. 1. Write five sentences based on the article, but include incorrect factual information. Exchange papers with a friend and rewrite each other's sentences with the correct facts. 2. Use words and pictures from today's newspaper to create a poster with your group. Your poster should show a new invention that could help solve an environmental problem in your country or the world. When your group is ready, present your poster to the class. The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@
Zawya
20-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Karakalpakstan project wins the 2024 Energy Globe National Award in Uzbekistan
Led by ICBA, in partnership with IICAS and the KARI, under the patronage of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, and Ministry of Agriculture. Triangular south south cooperation Advancing Sustainable Agriculture in the Aral Sea Region. Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan: The project titled 'Development of Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Degraded Areas of Karakalpakstan,' funded by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), has been recognized as Uzbekistan's national winner of the Energy Globe Award 2024. This achievement underscores the project's critical role in addressing environmental and agricultural challenges caused by the shrinking of the Aral Sea and its alignment with global sustainability goals. The project now qualifies to compete in the International Energy Globe Award – Earth Category in March 2025. The Energy Globe Award, one of the world's most respected environmental accolades presented by the non-profit ENERGY GLOBE Foundation in Austria, recognizes innovative projects advancing ecological sustainability and responsible resource management. . With participation from over 180 countries, the award fosters global awareness of innovative solutions to critical environmental challenges. The ADFD-financed project is being implemented by the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in partnership with the International Innovation Center for Aral Sea Basin (IICAS) and the Karakalpakstan Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) under the patronage of the Ministry of Ecology, Environment Protection and Climate Change and the Ministry of Agriculture in Uzbekistan. This partnership exemplifies the principles of triangular cooperation, pooling expertise and resources from the Global South to develop and implement sustainable agricultural systems. His Excellency Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, said: 'The recognition of the Karakalpakstan project by the Energy Globe Award is a testament to the power of strategic partnerships and our shared commitment to advancing sustainable development globally. ADFD is proud to support initiatives that restore degraded ecosystems and empower local communities with the tools and resources to achieve long-term resilience. This project demonstrates how global cooperation can lead to impactful outcomes, boosting innovation and sustainability in some of the world's most vulnerable regions.' Dr. Tarifa Al Zaabi, Director General of ICBA, remarked: 'The recognition of the Karakalpakstan project highlights the transformative power of partnership, innovation, and knowledge-sharing across the Global South in addressing pressing environmental and agricultural challenges. Through this initiative, we are restoring degraded landscapes and equipping local communities, especially women and youth, with the tools and knowledge to secure their livelihoods and shape a sustainable future. ICBA is proud to collaborate with its esteemed partners to bring meaningful change to the Aral Sea region. This project underscores how collective action and triangular cooperation can address the most complex global challenges. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for their generous support and to our partners—the Ministry of Ecology, Environment Protection and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture, IICAS, and KARI—for their dedication and collaboration in making this project a success.' The project is a vital step in mitigating the long-term effects of the Aral Sea disaster, which has caused widespread salinization, soil degradation, and desertification in the region. Through the introduction of climate-resilient crops, improved irrigation infrastructure, and the development of agri-business value chains, the project aims to strengthen the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers. It focuses on empowering communities through capacity development programs, such as farmer field schools and training initiatives, with a special emphasis on engaging women as key contributors to agricultural and economic transformation. The project also emphasizes the transfer of knowledge and technology, ensuring that farmers and agropastoralists have access to high-quality seeds and sustainable farming practices tailored to local conditions. The ICBA-run seed production unit is a cornerstone of the initiative, designed to meet farmers' specific needs and enhance agricultural productivity. The project directly benefited 100 farmers who received training in seed production techniques across three demonstration sites in Karakalpakstan, while 58 national scientists were trained in soil, water, and crop management practices to enhance dissemination and sustainability. Through the evaluation of 30 crop varieties, the project identified 8 high-performing varieties—a mix of ICBA-developed and local varieties—for seed multiplication, producing a total of 4 tons of seeds for distribution. These outputs have significantly contributed to building local capacity, enhancing agricultural resilience in salt-affected areas, and promoting self-reliance within farming communities. As the Karakalpakstan project progresses to the international stage, it exemplifies the importance of collaboration, knowledge transfer, and inclusive development in addressing environmental adversity. It serves as a model for how integrated solutions can create sustainable and resilient futures for communities most impacted by climate and environmental challenges.
