By Asmahanim Amir
Pix Ikhwan Hashim

BANGI, 12 Dec 2015 – The National University of Malaysia (UKM) and the National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) will jointly research  the conveyance of liquids through pipes and channels, especially as a source of mechanical force or control.

Both parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to carry out high impact research water flow and its effect on the environment.

Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali, who represented UKM at the signing, said the MoU will facilitate high-impact research and innovations in line with the targets set in the Key results area (KRA).

“As a research university, UKM aims at reaching the status comparable to the world’s leading research universities.

“I hope this strategic collaboration will strengthen the role of UKM and NAHRIM as reference institutions for resolving problems related to water including rivers, oceans and also the environment,” he said while speaking at the MoU ceremony, here on Dec 3.

He said the cooperation between UKM and NAHRIM has been longstanding especially with researchers from the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FKAB), Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Climate Change, Institute of Environment and Development (LESTARI) and some other departments.

“UKM also prides on its efforts with FKAB to build a strategic bilateral network with various government agencies, industry and professional department in others fields of engineering.

“The cooperation with professional departments is to ensure continuous monitoring of the quality of graduates, to meet international standards, the exchange of expertise and academic information and networking of research and consultancy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Director General of NAHRIM, Datuk Ir Ahmad Jamaluddin Shaaban, who signed on behalf of his agency said the MoU is a good effort between NAHRIM and UKM especially FKAB.

“We will cooperate fully with the Faculty in conducting research with respect to the areas of water and the environment because it is the area of expertise of NAHRIM,” he said.

He said NAHRIM which is one of 12 department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, was established 20 years ago tasked coordinate research and development (P&D) activities in the field of hydraulics and the environment.

“To fulfill the responsibility, NAHRIM is actively carrying out water-related research and consultancy on rivers, coastal areas, water quality and the environment, climate change adaptation and water resources, and hydro-geology,” he said.

The ceremony was witnessed by the dean of FKAB, Dato’ Ir Dr Abdul Wahab Mohammad and Deputy Director General of NAHRIM, Dr Saim Suratman.

The MOU was aimed at joint ventures in areas such as the use of facilities, research collaboration and consultancy and advisory services.