Membrane technology is a scientific innovation with the potential to address a wide range of human challenges across multiple sectors.
According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Ir. Dr. Rosalam Hj. Sarbatly, the technology has seen significant advancements since the 1990s due to urgent demands for energy efficiency and solutions to the global water crisis.
“Membrane technology only gained prominence in the early 1990s when we faced numerous water crises and aimed for greater energy savings.
“Technologies like forward osmosis enable food processing without compromising nutrients, while membrane distillation offers low-energy solutions for producing clean water.
“In Sabah, this technology is particularly relevant for remote communities, especially on islands struggling with access to clean water,” he stated during a media interview following his inaugural lecture titled “Sustainability in Membrane Technology” at UMS.
Professor Rosalam added that membranes are also utilized in medical applications, such as dialysis technology, wound healing, and scaffold membranes for organ regeneration.
“We are exploring the use of membranes to develop replacement organs like livers and bones, employing biocompatible materials that reduce the risk of rejection by the body,” he explained.
He expressed hope that strategic collaborations among universities, industries, and government agencies could be strengthened to accelerate the adoption of membrane technology in Malaysia.
“I hope to see more advanced technologies utilizing membranes in areas such as water treatment in the future,” he concluded.
Earlier, UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Hj. Mansor, in his welcoming remarks, emphasized that inaugural lectures like these represent a significant academic tradition.
“This event serves as a platform to disseminate knowledge, expertise, and innovative discoveries while showcasing the academic excellence and thought leadership of our professors.
“It is also a form of recognition and appreciation for their contributions and ideas, which benefit the academic world, the nation, and society as a whole,” he noted.
Among the attendees were UMS Board Member Prof. Dr. Baba Musta, UMS Chief Librarian Md. Sazali Md. Salleh, and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering UMS, Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser.
