Shenzhen, China — Five third-year students from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), are making their mark at one of the world’s most dynamic academic hubs. Through UTM’s International Industrial Training Program (IITP), these future engineers are spending ten weeks, from 14 July to 5 October 2025, at Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School (PKUSZ), immersing themselves in frontier research that speaks directly to global challenges of energy, environment, and sustainability.
For the students, the opportunity is more than an academic placement — it is a leap into the world of high-impact science at a university ranked 14th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. PKUSZ, located in the heart of Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, sits at the crossroads of China’s innovation economy. Its School of Environment and Energy (SEE) is renowned for blending academic rigor with practical solutions in green technology, renewable energy, and environmental science — and it is here that UTM’s undergraduates have joined forces with internationally recognized researchers.
During the International Industrial Training Program (IITP), each student from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT) was attached to a specialized research project under the guidance of experienced faculty members.
Muhamad Afiq Danial Mohd Saffimi (Chemical Engineering program), under Professor Qiyong Xu, investigated the preparation of nitrogen- and phosphorus-rich hierarchical porous carbon from water hyacinth via one-step vacuum pyrolysis, aimed at supercapacitor applications. His work involves optimizing biochar production for electrochemical performance enhancement.
Kong Qing Long (Bioprocess Engineering program), supervised by Professor Hao Dong Ji, explored photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction using metal-doped semiconductor catalysts, focusing on transforming CO₂ into value-added fuels using light-driven nanomaterials like bismuth tungstate (Bi₂WO₆) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄). His project also included hands-on training in advanced material characterization and gas analysis techniques.
Jasmine Lee (Chemical Engineering program), under Professor Nan Xu, worked on enhancing Fenton-like catalytic activity for bisphenol A (BPA) removal through molybdenum-doped iron sulfide (Mo-doped Fe₃S₄) catalysts. Her study aimed to develop more efficient water treatment methods by improving catalyst stability and electron transfer efficiency.
Onn Shen Che Nyan (Bioprocess Engineering program), mentored by Professor Maurycy Daroch in the Cyanobacterial Biotechnology Research Group (CyBioRG Lab), researched genetic enhancement of cyanobacteria growth by overexpressing ribosomal RNA operons in PCC7942 strains. His genetic engineering work could contribute to sustainable biofuel production or carbon capture technologies.
Nicole Goh Yong Xin (Bioprocess Engineering program), under Professor Peng Zhou, focused on photocatalytic alkane-to-alkene conversion, supporting experiments on platinum-based catalysts for propane-to-propene transformation. Her exposure to high-level research techniques broadened her understanding of photocatalysis and catalysis mechanisms.
Together, these projects span the spectrum of modern sustainability research: from purifying water and reducing carbon emissions to creating greener fuels and advancing industrial chemistry.
Laboratory life has been intense, with students mastering nanomaterial synthesis, advanced catalysis, genetic engineering, and electrochemical testing. Yet beyond the experiments, the experience has been profoundly human. Evenings spent in international hostels, weekend excursions to Shenzhen Bay Park or Da Mei Sha beach, and shared meals in the city’s vibrant night markets have given the students a sense of global belonging.
This program is also a testament to institutional collaboration. UTM’s support, including financial assistance for travel and living expenses, ensures that students can participate without barriers. PKUSZ, for its part, has waived tuition fees and provided in-campus accommodation. It is a partnership model that goes beyond formality: a genuine exchange of talent, knowledge, and opportunity.
For UTM, the IITP strengthens its vision of producing globally competent graduates — engineers who can navigate not only equations and experiments but also cultures and collaborations. For the students, it is a chance to see their classroom knowledge applied to the world’s most pressing problems. And for both institutions, it is proof that when universities align across borders, the impact reaches far beyond the laboratory.
This industrial training not only equipped the students with critical research skills but also strengthened the academic bridge between UTM and PKUSZ. It stands as a testament to both institutions’ commitment to producing globally competent engineers and researchers ready to take on real-world environmental and energy challenges.
As Jasmine Lee reflected: “It’s not just about what we discover in the lab. It’s about learning how science can serve people everywhere.”
Source: UTM NewsHub