Keynote Speakers
Hui Ming Wee
Honorable Chair Professor
Chung Yuan Christian University
Speech Title: Sustainable/Renewable Energy Supply Chains, Performance, Application Barriers, and Strategies for Development
Abstract: Increasing awareness of the environmental impact of Green House Gases (GHG) emissions and consequent climate change has triggered a renewed interest in environmental friendly renewable energy sources. Renewable energy (RE) is a driving force in the effort to sustain the earth’s natural resources and to improve the quality of life. The United Nation Paris Agreement (2015) has stated that Renewable energy has the potential to play an important role in providing sustainable energy for the world community. The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002 has committed itself to “encourage and promote the development of renewable energy sources to accelerate shift towards sustainable consumption and production”. Recent eco-consciousness agendas in many countries have set goals for the development of RE, specifically for its efficient generation and conversion to a consumable form of energy and its commercialization in the market. With the European Union 2030 renewables target of 42.5% (compared with 22% in 2021), this decade will see an accelerated use of sustainable energy supply. In this talk, we discuss the renewable energy sources from a supply chain perspective and investigate renewable energies focusing on four main components: renewable energy supply chain, renewable energy performance, and barriers and strategies to its development. The talk provides managerial insights to governments, researchers, and stakeholders for the initiation of renewable energy use, and suggestions for overcoming the barriers to its development.
Short Biography:Professor Wee is an Honorable Chair Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. He has received his B.S. degree (honors) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Strathclyde University (UK), M. Eng. from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Cleveland State University, Ohio (USA). He has received an excellent research award from the Ministry of Science & Technology, excellent life researcher award and the Medal for Distinguished Industrial Engineer Award. He has published more than 500 papers in refereed journals, international conferences and book chapters, of which, more than 300 papers are SCI & SSCI index. His papers were cited over 14,169 times in Google scholar with h-index: 61. Professor Hui-Ming Wee is ranked among the top 2.5% of world-wide ResearchGate members in the world. In 2022, he was listed top 2% scientists of the world in Operations Research discipline. He is the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Ubiquitous Computing and Communication Technologies, Special issue Editor, Annual of Operations Research Journal, on “Emerging Trends in Inventory, Supply Chain & Reliability Modelling" and former Associate Editor, Journal of Industrial and Management Optimization (JIMO).
Abstract: Increasing awareness of the environmental impact of Green House Gases (GHG) emissions and consequent climate change has triggered a renewed interest in environmental friendly renewable energy sources. Renewable energy (RE) is a driving force in the effort to sustain the earth’s natural resources and to improve the quality of life. The United Nation Paris Agreement (2015) has stated that Renewable energy has the potential to play an important role in providing sustainable energy for the world community. The World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002 has committed itself to “encourage and promote the development of renewable energy sources to accelerate shift towards sustainable consumption and production”. Recent eco-consciousness agendas in many countries have set goals for the development of RE, specifically for its efficient generation and conversion to a consumable form of energy and its commercialization in the market. With the European Union 2030 renewables target of 42.5% (compared with 22% in 2021), this decade will see an accelerated use of sustainable energy supply. In this talk, we discuss the renewable energy sources from a supply chain perspective and investigate renewable energies focusing on four main components: renewable energy supply chain, renewable energy performance, and barriers and strategies to its development. The talk provides managerial insights to governments, researchers, and stakeholders for the initiation of renewable energy use, and suggestions for overcoming the barriers to its development.
Short Biography:Professor Wee is an Honorable Chair Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. He has received his B.S. degree (honors) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Strathclyde University (UK), M. Eng. from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Cleveland State University, Ohio (USA). He has received an excellent research award from the Ministry of Science & Technology, excellent life researcher award and the Medal for Distinguished Industrial Engineer Award. He has published more than 500 papers in refereed journals, international conferences and book chapters, of which, more than 300 papers are SCI & SSCI index. His papers were cited over 14,169 times in Google scholar with h-index: 61. Professor Hui-Ming Wee is ranked among the top 2.5% of world-wide ResearchGate members in the world. In 2022, he was listed top 2% scientists of the world in Operations Research discipline. He is the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Ubiquitous Computing and Communication Technologies, Special issue Editor, Annual of Operations Research Journal, on “Emerging Trends in Inventory, Supply Chain & Reliability Modelling" and former Associate Editor, Journal of Industrial and Management Optimization (JIMO).
Shola Ololade
Associate Professor
University of the Free State
Speech Title:Phytoremediation Technology: Sustainable Solution for Water Pollution Management
Abstract: Freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands) provide essential ecosystem services and benefits human society. However human activities alongside poor water management, and climate change have impacted significantly on these resources and sometimes directly or indirectly on groundwater. Treatment facilities such as wastewater treatments consume substantial energy and resources, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Therefore, selecting the most appropriate approach for a given situation, considering the long-term sustainability and multiple benefits makes phytoremediation technology solution of paramount importance. Phytoremediation involves the use of a plant-based mechanisms to remediate contaminated soil and water media. Research has shown that the type of plants as well as any modification used in the remediation process can determine the rate of uptake of the contaminants. It is often beneficial to do a prior characterization of the contaminated media to determine the type of contaminants and extent of contamination. Another factor that needs to be considered is that the plant must be native to the area where it will be utilised so that it doesn’t end up being an invasive species.
Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty) promise to be a good remediation technology for addressing heavy metal pollution such as wetlands, industrial wastewaters, mine tailings and agricultural soils. It can either be planted in a hydroponic solution or on contaminated soil which have a direct or indirect pathway to contaminate surface and groundwater resources. Findings from experimental research has shown that vetiver grass have higher biomass outdoors than those conducted in greenhouses which is a good indication for potential industrial large-scale application. In some instances, the vetiver biomass and roots have some pharmaceutical and industrial uses which could generate income. Hence this method could help contribute to SDG 6, SDG 2, SDG 11, and SDG 1. Often the critic of this application is how to dispose safely the harvested biomass without returning the contaminants to the environment. Recent studies have shown innovative promising ways of leaching some of these heavy metals from the biomass.
Short Biography:Olusola (Shola) Ololade holds a PhD in Environmental Management from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. She is currently the Acting Director and Associate Professor at the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of the Free State. Her areas of expertise include integrated water resources management, water-energy-food nexus, land use/cover analysis and environmental sustainability. She has authored/co-authored 49 peer-reviewed journal articles, 13 book chapters and three peer- reviewed conference proceedings with google scholar h-index of 22. She has supervised and graduated 28 masters and four PhD students. Shola regularly acts as reviewer for more than 20 international journals and presented 27 conference papers, 23 of which are at international conferences of which 6 of them has been as an invited guest speaker. She is also an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management: Natural Resources.
Abstract: Freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands) provide essential ecosystem services and benefits human society. However human activities alongside poor water management, and climate change have impacted significantly on these resources and sometimes directly or indirectly on groundwater. Treatment facilities such as wastewater treatments consume substantial energy and resources, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion. Therefore, selecting the most appropriate approach for a given situation, considering the long-term sustainability and multiple benefits makes phytoremediation technology solution of paramount importance. Phytoremediation involves the use of a plant-based mechanisms to remediate contaminated soil and water media. Research has shown that the type of plants as well as any modification used in the remediation process can determine the rate of uptake of the contaminants. It is often beneficial to do a prior characterization of the contaminated media to determine the type of contaminants and extent of contamination. Another factor that needs to be considered is that the plant must be native to the area where it will be utilised so that it doesn’t end up being an invasive species.
Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty) promise to be a good remediation technology for addressing heavy metal pollution such as wetlands, industrial wastewaters, mine tailings and agricultural soils. It can either be planted in a hydroponic solution or on contaminated soil which have a direct or indirect pathway to contaminate surface and groundwater resources. Findings from experimental research has shown that vetiver grass have higher biomass outdoors than those conducted in greenhouses which is a good indication for potential industrial large-scale application. In some instances, the vetiver biomass and roots have some pharmaceutical and industrial uses which could generate income. Hence this method could help contribute to SDG 6, SDG 2, SDG 11, and SDG 1. Often the critic of this application is how to dispose safely the harvested biomass without returning the contaminants to the environment. Recent studies have shown innovative promising ways of leaching some of these heavy metals from the biomass.
Short Biography:Olusola (Shola) Ololade holds a PhD in Environmental Management from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. She is currently the Acting Director and Associate Professor at the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of the Free State. Her areas of expertise include integrated water resources management, water-energy-food nexus, land use/cover analysis and environmental sustainability. She has authored/co-authored 49 peer-reviewed journal articles, 13 book chapters and three peer- reviewed conference proceedings with google scholar h-index of 22. She has supervised and graduated 28 masters and four PhD students. Shola regularly acts as reviewer for more than 20 international journals and presented 27 conference papers, 23 of which are at international conferences of which 6 of them has been as an invited guest speaker. She is also an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management: Natural Resources.
Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud
Associate Professor
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Speech Title:Integrated Assessment the Impact of Sea Water Encroachment on Paddy Yields Using Spatial Technology and Hydrodynamic Modeling
Abstract: The phenomenon of global warming-induced sea level rise (SLR) has affected Malaysia, particularly impacting low-lying coastal regions, which heavily relies on agriculture and fisheries. Paddy fields situated very near to the shoreline have faced ongoing issues with sea water intrusion, resulting in a significant decline in paddy yields—up to 75%, notably during concurrent periods of heavy rainfall and high tide occurrences. The research addresses the impact of sea water intrusion on paddy crop yields in Kuala Kedah, Malaysia, due to rising sea levels. It involves a comprehensive assessment utilizing spatial technology and hydrodynamic modeling across different phases. Water quality assessment revealed higher salinity concentrations in the first season compared to the second, significantly impacting pH levels. Multispectral image analysis indicated that the NDRE vegetation index was most accurate in determining paddy crop health and yields. Hydrodynamic modeling showed potential reductions in sea water distance to land with existing mitigation factors. However, comprehensive solutions for coastal flooding require consideration of socio-economic aspects. The study proposes short-term and permanent mitigation strategies and highlights the need for multi-factorial considerations by local authorities to address the complex issue comprehensively.
Short Biography:Sr Ts. Gs. Dr Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud is an Assoc. Prof. at the Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He was also appointed as a Deputy Executive Director (Sustainability), UKM Strategy Center, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Previously he was a Head of Earth Observation Centre, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He joins the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2001 after completing his B.Sc of Geoinformatics from the University of Technology, Malaysia. He received his M.Sc in Geoinformatics from the University of Technology, Malaysia and PhD in Civil & Structural from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Currently, he has published more than 151 journal papers, 44 books and chapters in book and 99 proceedings in national and international proceedings. He has been involved as a principal researcher and consultant works for more than 100 research grants, 46 consultant works in Malaysia. To date, he has supervised 36 PhD students, 15 Master's Students and 38 bachelor's degrees. His expertise is a Geospatial Technology, GIS and Geomatic and has almost 23 years of experience in research and consultancy. He has successfully completed almost 23 water-related projects including sea-level rise, geospatial analysis, land-use changes, water quality, shoreline erosion, water management using GIS and Coastal Vulnerability Index. He has received a Australia Awards Fellowship from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Australia and has undergone a fellowship program at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. He now led high-impact research on climate change, especially on the physical and economic impacts. He also is an expert panel for the government of Malaysia, especially in coastal geomorphology, geospatial analysis and spatial water quality analysis. He is very active as an evaluation panel for research grants at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.
Abstract: The phenomenon of global warming-induced sea level rise (SLR) has affected Malaysia, particularly impacting low-lying coastal regions, which heavily relies on agriculture and fisheries. Paddy fields situated very near to the shoreline have faced ongoing issues with sea water intrusion, resulting in a significant decline in paddy yields—up to 75%, notably during concurrent periods of heavy rainfall and high tide occurrences. The research addresses the impact of sea water intrusion on paddy crop yields in Kuala Kedah, Malaysia, due to rising sea levels. It involves a comprehensive assessment utilizing spatial technology and hydrodynamic modeling across different phases. Water quality assessment revealed higher salinity concentrations in the first season compared to the second, significantly impacting pH levels. Multispectral image analysis indicated that the NDRE vegetation index was most accurate in determining paddy crop health and yields. Hydrodynamic modeling showed potential reductions in sea water distance to land with existing mitigation factors. However, comprehensive solutions for coastal flooding require consideration of socio-economic aspects. The study proposes short-term and permanent mitigation strategies and highlights the need for multi-factorial considerations by local authorities to address the complex issue comprehensively.
Short Biography:Sr Ts. Gs. Dr Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud is an Assoc. Prof. at the Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He was also appointed as a Deputy Executive Director (Sustainability), UKM Strategy Center, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Previously he was a Head of Earth Observation Centre, Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He joins the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2001 after completing his B.Sc of Geoinformatics from the University of Technology, Malaysia. He received his M.Sc in Geoinformatics from the University of Technology, Malaysia and PhD in Civil & Structural from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Currently, he has published more than 151 journal papers, 44 books and chapters in book and 99 proceedings in national and international proceedings. He has been involved as a principal researcher and consultant works for more than 100 research grants, 46 consultant works in Malaysia. To date, he has supervised 36 PhD students, 15 Master's Students and 38 bachelor's degrees. His expertise is a Geospatial Technology, GIS and Geomatic and has almost 23 years of experience in research and consultancy. He has successfully completed almost 23 water-related projects including sea-level rise, geospatial analysis, land-use changes, water quality, shoreline erosion, water management using GIS and Coastal Vulnerability Index. He has received a Australia Awards Fellowship from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Australia and has undergone a fellowship program at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. He now led high-impact research on climate change, especially on the physical and economic impacts. He also is an expert panel for the government of Malaysia, especially in coastal geomorphology, geospatial analysis and spatial water quality analysis. He is very active as an evaluation panel for research grants at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.
TBD
