Engineers Must Keep Innovating To Face Future Challenges - Fadillah

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Engineers in Malaysia must continue to innovate and be prepared to face future challenges, particularly those related to climate change, sustainable development and new technologies, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said.

He said engineers should play a key role in creating technologies and local solutions to reduce dependence on foreign ones, instead of only carrying out development projects.

“What we need to do now is look to the future. What challenges are we facing and what challenges will come, and what are the needs of our engineers today and in the future,” he said at the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) 2025 Awards and Appreciation Dinner here tonight.

Also present were BEM president Datuk Roslan Ismail, as well as Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj.

Fadillah said climate change, unpredictable weather, floods, natural disasters and water shortage are among the main issues that demand innovative solutions and sustainable engineering strategies.

As such, he said the government is also prioritising the digital economy and the Malaysia MADANI framework, which calls for engineers to ensure that all projects are sustainable and resilient against environmental challenges.

Citing the RM8 billion Langat 2 water treatment plant project in Selangor, Fadillah said its successful completion reflected the ability of local professionals to deliver large-scale projects effectively.

He added that while Malaysia already has homegrown technology, more must be done to drive innovations, discoveries and new products so the country can become a creator of technology rather than merely a user.

“That is why, under the MADANI framework, one of the core principles is that we must be creators. This is where engineers play a role,” he said.

Fadillah also urged young engineers to step up involvement in research and development and embrace new technologies such as artificial intelligence to find solutions to current and future engineering challenges.

At the event, BEM presented the 2025 International Special Mention in Engineering Award to the founding head of the Engineering Composite Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia Prof Ir Dr Mohd Sapuan Salit and the Maritime Institute of Malaysia acting director-general Prof Dr Syuhaida Ismail.

Mohd Sapuan is the recipient of The World Academy of Science Award 2024 in the Engineering Sciences category for his outstanding contribution to the properties, conceptual design and materials selection of tropical natural fibre composites.

Syuhaida received the WFEO GREE Women in Engineering Award 2024 from the World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) for her remarkable contributions to engineering education and research.

Meanwhile, the youngest vice-chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and former secretary-general of several key ministries Datuk Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang received the 2025 National Engineering Figure Award, while professional engineer and ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer Ir Alex Looi Tink Huey was named the 2025 Young National Engineering Figure.

Bernama also received recognition in the media category.

-- BERNAMA