In moving towards a greener and more sustainable environment, INTI International University successfully organized its first International Conference on Green Sustainable Technology and Management (ICGSTM 2022) in collaboration with Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS), India, Guizhou University, China, Shinawatra University, Thailand, Einstein Research Academy (ERA), Yinchuan University of Energy, China, Southwest Jiaotong University Hope College, China, Xinzhou Teachers University, China, and the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers. The virtual event provided researchers, academicians, and experts from various fields a platform to present their latest findings and research that contribute to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.
The conference held on 10 and 11 June 2022 saw participants join from all over the world to gain knowledge and information on topics pertaining to issues on sustainability. Prof Dr. Wong Ling Shing, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer) at INTI International University said ICGSTM 2022 has attracted 500 participants who sat in for the different tracks, namely Health and Life Sciences, Information Technology and Engineering, and Education, Business and Management.
Prof Dr. Wong Ling Shing, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer) at INTI International University, gives his welcoming remarks during the International Conference on Green Sustainable Technology and Management (ICGSTM 2022) hosted by INTI International University.
“Today, the global population will continue to increase to billions of people, the limitation of natural resources is making sustainability a critical agenda. It is indeed the right time to collaborate and learn from each through strong global partnerships,” he said in his welcoming speech.
Chaired by Associate. Prof. Dr. Geetha Subramaniam, a senior lecturer from the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS), INTI International University, ICGSTM 2022 was delighted to have the presence of Dr. Lim Daw Yuen, General Manager at Sime Darby Energy Solutions Sdn. Bhd, Malaysia to provide insights on energy efficiency in Malaysia through his keynote titled “Opportunities for gas-based Cogeneration in Malaysia”.
Cogeneration – also known as combined heat and power, distributed generation, or recycled energy – is the simultaneous production of two or more forms of energy from a single fuel source. Cogeneration power plants often operate at 50 to 70 percent higher efficiency rates than single-generation facilities. Dr. Lim further explained how the Cogen system works and how it can be utilized in industrial and commercial property. The technology is well proven to be utility saving, green initiative and can help to have better environment, reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, and good investment for industrial counterpart.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Shazrul Fazry Sa’ariwijaya, Head of Pusat Penyelidikan Tasik Chini, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia gave a keynote speed on “Tapping into Sustainable Local Resources for Malaysia Health”. He elaborated on Tasik Chini’s heritage in terms of lake profile, flora, and fauna availability, as well as the community there. Tasik Chini has been designated by UNESCO Man and Biosphere as one of the world’s Biosphere Reserves – the first in Malaysia.
He also shared he has collaborated with Dr. Douglas Law, a senior lecturer of INTI International University, on in-depth studies of herbs that combat disease and also discovered a group of anti-microbial peptides that contain anti-cancer properties from one of the fish found in Tasik Chini.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sarana Photchanachan, Dean of School of Management, Shinawatra University, Thailand, addressed the topic of “Social and Green Entrepreneurship in Sharing Economy” in which he concluded that social and green entrepreneurs are important for economic development and can make a significant contribution to eliminate unemployment, poverty, and environmental problems while also bringing new innovative products or services to the market.
“Social entrepreneurs combine commerce and social issues in a way that improves the lives of people,” he said.
Dr. Cris Birzer, Senior Lecturer, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Australia shared about “Large Scale Ideas for Small Scale Energy Generation Systems” in which he talked about the impact pathways of small-scale energy generation systems in the future and the need to move away from fossil fuel to preserve the earth.
Participants from different countries and institutions pose for a group photo at the International Conference on Green Sustainable Technology and Management (ICGSTM 2022).
“The need to move away from the fossil fuel to preserve the earth and the concept of using biochemical waste is indeed the right thing to do at the right time,” said Dr. Cris, who was a former member of the Australian Defence Force.
Moving into the keynote on “Features of Sustainable Consumption and Production to Achieve SDGs”, Dr. Elammaran Jayamani, Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Sarawak, shared almost everything that revolves around us is tangible material and we rely on them on a daily basis.
“New material can affect the world including metal, ceramics, and polymers. However, we can adopt net-zero greenhouse gas emission, resources efficiency, and zero waste at the forefront of future activities which requires an extension of product lifetime, and the reuse of recycling products.
“By doing this, it will enable future generations to conserve the Earth,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the final keynote was delivered by Prof Dr. Wang Anjie, Distinguished Professor, Yinchuan University of Energy, China on “Catalytic Hydrogenation of Biomass-Derived Oxygenates” gave participants knowledge on his areas of expertise – biofuels and catalytic conversion of biomass. Identification of catalytic materials that are active and selective for deoxygenation of pyrolysis oil components has resulted in a major research area.
ICGSTM 2022 enabled the exchange of ideas and encourages participants to network for future collaborations which can one day solve existing and future challenges through the fields of engineering and information technology, health and life sciences, education, business, and management. Through knowledge and research, the world can become a better and greener place to live for our future generations.