Monash University Malaysia secures Petronas funding for energy research

• A total of US$17 mil in research grants was awarded 
• 61 researchers from 25 universities were selected as recipients of the grant

Monash University Malaysia has announced that seven of its research proposals have secured funding from Petronas. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to advancing innovative research in the energy sector, focusing on sustainable solutions to address the pressing global energy challenges of today and the future, the university said in a statement.

Petronas has awarded a total of US$17 million (RM71 million) in research grants through the Petronas-Academia Collaboration Dialogue (PACD), a highly competitive initiative with 588 applicants vying for funding. Ultimately, 61 researchers from 25 universities were selected, with Monash University Malaysia among the successful institutions.

The awards were presented by Malaysia's deputy minister of Higher Education, Mustapha Sakmud, and Malaysia Petroleum Management's Senior Vice President, Bacho Pilong.

"I firmly believe that a potential solution to the high capital investments needed for a sustainable future lies in technological breakthroughs. This requires us to invest more in research and development, making collaboration between academia and industry vital," Bacho Pilong said.

The funding will be allocated to research areas aligned with global trends, focusing on sectors such as low-carbon and renewable energy. These include carbon capture and storage systems, bioenergy development, efficient hydrogen generation, and improving operational efficiency through data analytics and AI.

The list of recipients from Monash University Malaysia includes:

• Professor Ir. Dr Chan Eng Seng, School of Engineering: "Microalgae Oil Biorefinery: Identification, Quantification, and Characterisation of Lipid Derivatives from Crude Lipids Extracted from Microalgae."
• Dr Song Cher Pin, School of Engineering: "Biorefinery of Defatted Microalgae: Separation, Identification, Characterization, and Valorization of Defatted Microalgae."
• Dr Surya Nurzaman, School of Engineering: "Aerial Perching for Contact-Based Inspection in Oilfield Installations Using Soft Robotics."
• Professor Raphael Phan, School of Information Technology: "Æinstein: Adversarial AI Amongst Materials Discovery Domains."
• Dr Patrick Tang, School of Engineering: "Modelling and Knowledge-Informed Control of Microalgae Lipids Metabolism Under Diverse Environmental Stresses."
• Dr Lau Ee Von, School of Engineering: "Microalgae in CO2 Capture and Renewable Energy."
• Professor Chai Siang Piao, School of Engineering: "Development of Electro-Catalyst for CO2 Reduction from Flaring or Post-Combustion."

These projects span critical areas such as renewable energy, CO2 reduction, green hydrogen, AI, and robotics—research that aligns with Monash University Malaysia's mission to address key global challenges and drive technological advancements.

"This partnership with Petronas represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to advance impactful research. By working together, we are not only exploring solutions for today's energy challenges but also shaping a sustainable future,” said Professor Dr Faisal Rafiq Bin Mahamd Adikan, vice president (Research & Development) at Monash University Malaysia.

“The diverse range of research projects funded through this collaboration reflects the strength and innovation of our academic community. I am confident the outcomes will contribute to the betterment of society, both locally and globally," he added.

As the world faces increasing pressure to transition to cleaner, more efficient energy sources, collaborations between academia and industry become ever more critical. The partnership with Petronas highlights the importance of such alliances and reinforces the role that academic institutions like Monash University Malaysia play in shaping the future of energy.