On Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) is setting the pace in research and development (R&D) by signing an agreement comprising a research grant from the leading research institute in Saudi Arabia, the King Abdulaziz City for Science And Technology (KACST), worth RM1.5 million (USD $ 465.000).
The agreement will enable researchers from both UniMAP and KACST to cooperate in the advanced research and development of environmentally friendly green concrete (green polymeric concrete) that does not use cement.
UniMAP's Vice Chancellor, Brig. Jen. Dato Prof. Dr. Kamarudin Hussin stated that the agreement is expected to develop further the cooperation between UniMAP and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and also to help improve the quality of the research programs being undertaken at UniMAP and at KACST.
“It is expected that the agreement will be the driving force of sharing and transferring of technology between the two agencies, taking into account that KACST is the leading research organization in Saudi Arabia. We are confident that the agreements signed will help preserve the environment while contributing to the reduction of air pollution without compromising the quality aspect of the products,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor spoke before the council that signed the memorandum of understanding between UniMAP and KACST in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. UniMAP was represented by Prof. Dr. Kamarudin himself while KACST was represented by its president, Prof. Mohamed Bin Ibrahim Al-Suwayel. The signing was witnessed by Malaysia's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dato Syed Omar Syed Mohamad Al-Saggaf.
Aside from Prof. Dr. Hussin, UniMAP’s research team will be led by lecturers from the School of Materials Engineering, including Prof. Mohd. Mustafa al-Bakri Abdullah and Assoc. Prof. Che Mohd. Ruzaidi Ghazali, and also assisted by a lecturer from the School of Environmental Engineering, Mdm Noorazian Mohamed Noor. The research in KACST will be led by Prof. Mohammad Bin A Hussain.
Prof. Dr. Hussin said the MoU was made to allow the two parties to work together in conducting research on topics such as concrete geo-polymers, polymer composites, plastics, and other advanced structural materials.
The agreement also includes reciprocal training for academic staff and researchers, the sharing and transfer of knowledge and technology to enhance scientific activities in conferences and workshops, as well as the exchange of students, lecturers, and researchers between the two parties.
“We also hope this research will enable the community to have the choice to identify products that are environmentally friendly in the market. Therefore, we are hoping that this research will help UniMAP and KACST to create products of standard quality and high technology, according to market needs,” said Prof. Dr. Hussin.
Prof. Dr. Hussin said the agreement allows UniMAP to acquire a total of three international research grants for the first time. The first international research grant (worth RM 118,000) was acquired by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and International Affairs and UniMAP lecturer in the School of Microelectronic Engineering, Assoc. Dr. Sazali Yaacob to develop the InnoSAT Satellite Control System in collaboration with the Astronautics Technology Sdn. Bhd. (ATSB).
“The second international research grant was obtained from Agilent Technologies Foundation of RM 110,769.64,” according to Prof. Dr. Hussin.
GREEN (CEMENT-FREE) CONCRETE
Green concrete is produced from mixing fly ash and slag along with certain chemical compounds that act as the adhesive or mortar for the inorganic aluminosilicate particles.
Green concrete production processes are environmentally friendly; and green concrete contributes to the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Green concrete production does not require the use of high temperatures. Green concrete has its own special characteristics, e.g., it reaches its full strength within one to three days while ordinary Portland cement attains it full strength only after about 28 days.
