Malaysia-Japan International Institute Technology (MJIIT)

Environmental and Multidisciplinary Engineering for Resilient and Sustainable Systems (EMERSS)

 

The EMERSS i-Kohza addresses the most pressing global challenges by treating sustainability as a multidisciplinary engineering problem. The i-Kohza bridges the gap between environmental science, biosystems engineering, and urban spatial planning. By applying advanced modeling and integrative design, we provide the clarity and technical frameworks necessary to manage the complex nexus of water, wastewater, waste, and living systems within the built environment.

Basic Information

  • iKohza Name: Environmental and Multidisciplinary Engineering for Resilient and Sustainable Systems (EMERSS)
  • Leader's Name and Title: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shahrum Shah b. Abdullah
  • Deputy Leader: Ts. Dr. Faizah Che Ros
  • Main Contact Email: shahrum@utm.my
  • Location/Office: Level 7, MJIIT Building
  • Website or Social Media (if available): https://mjiit.utm.my/emerss/
  • Tagline: Engineering the Bridge to a Living Future

Vision Statement

To be the focal point for the living system, where adaptive environmental science and engineering innovation converge to create resilient, adaptive cities for future generations.

Mission Statement

The EMERSS i-Kohza bridges the gap between environmental science, biosystems engineering, and urban spatial planning. By applying advanced modeling and integrative design, we provide the clarity and technical frameworks necessary to manage the complex nexus of water, wastewater, waste, and living systems within the built environment.

Core Pillars of EMERSS

Pillar Description
Observation Advanced modeling of water, waste, and bioscience interactions.
Integration Bridging engineering approaches with urban spatial planning.
Adaptation Designing resilient systems that evolve with global environmental shifts.

Research Focus Areas

Main Research Themes/Keywords (5–10 keywords):

  • Engineering: Nature-Based Solutions, Resource Recovery, Nexus Modeling
  • Planning: Blue-Green Grids, Urban Metabolism, Regenerative Design
  • Resilience: Climate Adaptation, Adaptive Infrastructure, System Modeling

    Facilities and Equipment

    • Laboratories Used (if applicable):

      • EMERSS has access to a comprehensive suite of laboratories to support its diverse research agenda:

        • Industrial Instrumentation Laboratory
        • Industrial Automation Laboratory
        • Advanced Environmental Laboratory
        • Ecological Engineering Laboratory
        • Chemical Laboratory
        • Biological Laboratory

    • Key Equipment/Technology Available (with brief descriptions):

    Research Projects

    List of Ongoing/Recent Projects or Grants (Max 5):

     

    • Study of Underwater Driving Mechanism for an Amphibious Spherical Robot with a Hemispherical Ballast Tank — Shahrum Shah (PI) | FRGS, MOHE | RM 70,500 | 2023–2025
    • Research and Education Grant for Innovative Environmental Engineering Solutions (GENES) — Muhamad Ali Yuzir | UTM Matching Grant | RM 100,000 | 2023–2026
    • Organic Dye Removal Using Graphite Nanosheet-@AgNPs Nanocomposite — Muhamad Ali Yuzir | Post-Doctoral Fellowship (UTM) | RM 143,880 | 2025–2027
    • Adapting Analytics Platforms for Environmental Improvements in Industrial Operations — Sahnius Usman | Consultancy, MIMOS Berhad | RM 35,000 | 2024–2027
    • Developing a Sustainable Strategy on Cultural Identity and Urban Morphology of Malay Royal Towns — Mohammad Hussaini (PI) | Universiti Malaya Grant | RM 50,000 | 2025–2026
    • Development of Sungai Dungun Basin Flood Model — Faizah Che Ros | ISI Collaborative Grant | RM 30,000 | 2025–2026
    • Kajian Pelan Strategik Lima Tahun Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU) 2026–2030 — Wan Nurul Mardiah | ISI Collaborative Grant | RM 50,000 | 2025–2026
    • Mechanism of Simultaneous Nitrification-denitrification using Cocos nucifera Fiber as 'Green' Biofilter Media for Nitrogenous Matters Removal — Liew Wai Loan (PI) | FRGS, MOHE | RM 136,133 | 2022—2025
    • PowerNotes AI Unity Initiative Project — Liew Wai Loan (PI) | Collaborative Research & External Grant | RM 61,000 | 2026—2027
    • Kinematic and Kinetic Analysis of American and Russian Kettlebell Swings Using Functional Data Analysis: Implications for Performance and Rehabilitation — Muhammad Athif Mat Zin (PI) | Geran Penyelidik Baharu | RM 20,000 | 2025—2027

    Research Outputs

    • Selected Publications (Last 3 Years, Max 5):
      • [Q1 | WOS] Abdalla, S.A.; Abdullah, S.S.; Kassem, A.M. (2025). An adaptive frame and intelligent control approach for an autonomous hybrid renewable energy technology consisting of PV, wind, and fuel cell innovation. Alexandria Engineering Journal.
      • [Q1 | WOS] Kamyab, H.; Khalili, E.; Yuzir, A. et al. (2025). Emerging nanoparticle-based strategies for advanced cancer imaging and diagnosis. International Journal of Pharmaceutics.
      • [Q1 | WOS] Mai, N.H.A.; Yuzir, A.; Jung, J.; Barnard, T.G. (2025). Global trends evolution and future research hotspots in microplastic pollution and removal in water: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering.
      • [Q1 | WOS] Mut, N.N.N.; Cao, Z.; Na, J.; Yuzir, A. et al. (2025). Adverse outcome pathway networks of microplastic ecotoxicity to aquatic organisms: A critical review. Aquatic Toxicology.
      • [Q2 | WOS] Zhao, X.; Amat, R.B.C. (2025). Application and evaluation of traditional garden culture in modern urban landscape design under the context of cultural sustainability. PLOS ONE.
      • [Q2 | WOS] Putri, A.M.H.; Yuzir, M.A.M.; Muharam, Y. et al. (2025). Activated carbon from tea twig waste via low-temperature KOH activation for efficient CO2 capture. Adsorption Science & Technology.
      • [Scopus] Ching, W.P.; Abdullah, S.S.; Shapiai, M.I.; Islam, A.K.M.M. (2025). Performance enhancement of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis using Generative Adversarial Network. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology.
      • [Scopus] Harun, M.H.; Abdullah, S.S.; Mohd Aras, M.S. et al. (2025). An adaptive state-augmented Kalman filter for robust UAV altitude control with online sensor bias correction. Journal of Applied Science and Technology Trends.
      • [Scopus] Faruq, A.; Irfan, M.; Abdullah, S.S. et al. (2025). Prediction of flood-affected areas based on GIS data using machine learning. IAES International Journal of Artificial Intelligence.
      • [ERA] Rohayah Che Amat; Zhao, X. (2025). Ecological wisdom in Chinese traditional gardens: towards a sustainable design paradigm for modern landscape. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Science.
      • [ERA] Zin, M.A.M.; Yusoff, R.C.M.; Ismail, S. (2025). A Pre-Test Post-Test Study Using the Design Thinking Framework to Evaluate an Augmented Reality Book for Informal Learning in Public Libraries. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)
    • Selected Publications (2025) — Conference Proceedings
      • Sairan, F.M.; Nor-Anuar, A.; Din, M.F.M.; Komori, D.; Hamdzah, M. (2025). Global warming potential impact from on-site septic wastewater treatment. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
      • Razali, N.S.S.; Anuar, A.N.; Zaini, N.; Sharani, N.A. et al. (2025). Sustainable solution for domestic wastewater treatment: Aerobic granular sludge cultivation in a continuous flow reactor. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
      • Masruroh, H.; Bachri, S.; Sumarmi; Anuar, A.B.N. et al. (2025). Ecological sensitivity index (ESI) modelling of Wonosari Sub-watershed, Blitar: PCA-based geospatial approach. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science.
    • Patents (if any):
      • Aznah Nor Anuar: MY-145044-A (Patent of Aerobic Granular Sludge Bioreactor for Domestic Wastewater Treatment)

    Collaboration and Outreach

    • Current National and International Collaborations:
      • MOU with National Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED)
      • MOA with Jabatan Kerja Raya (Slope Division)
      • MOU/LOA with Indah Water Konsortium
      • MOU with YKRC (Yanmar Kota Kinabalu Research Centre Sdn. Bhd)
      • MOU with MERCY Malaysia
    • Joint Programs / Student Exchanges / Industrial Engagements:
      • Development of Aerobic Granular Sludge Technology for Domestic Wastewater Treatment — Aznah Nor Anuar with Indah Water Konsortium Sdn. Bhd, 2021 – now.
      • Validation and Analysis of the Algal Wheel System at IWK Wastewater Treatment Plant — Aznah Nor Anuar with Indah Water Konsortium Sdn. Bhd. (2025)
      • Process Improvement for Semi-Automatic Peat Block Production with Electronically Hydraulic Actuating Systems — Shahrum Shah with Techcapital Resources Sdn. Bhd. (2024–2025)
      • Research Collaboration under UTM-UNAIR Matching Grant — Wan Nurul Mardiah with Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia (2023–2025)
    • Community Engagement (if any):
      • Rainwater Harvesting System at Masjid At-Tuqo’, Kg. Sg. Sireh, Tg Karang, Selangor (2024)
      • Geran Masyarakat MADANI Rendah Karbon Kuala Lumpur 2030, Sg. Bunus, Kuala Lumpur (2025)
      • KTP-RIG Water Quality Awareness and Treatment, Kg. Pangsun, Hulu Langat, Selangor (2025-2026)

    Members

    • Academic Staff (Name, Position, Area of Expertise):


      Name Position Area of Expertise
      Shahrum Shah bin Abdullah Assoc. Prof. (Dr.) Control Engineering, Machine Learning
      Muhamad Ali bin Muhammad Yuzir Prof. (Ir. Dr.) Environmental Engineering, Wastewater Treatment, Bioreactors, Anaerobic Digestion, Biogas, Environmental Biotechnology
      Aznah binti Nor Anuar Assoc. Prof. (Dr.) Wastewater Treatment, Water Treatment, Engineering Service Learning, WASH in Emergencies, Disaster Management
      Nor'azizi Othman Assoc. Prof. (Ts. Dr.) Biomass, Biochar, Gasification, Combustion, Renewable Energy
      Wan Nurul Mardiah binti Wan Mohd Rani Assoc. Prof. (Dr.) Urban and Regional Planning, Climate and Disaster Resilient Cities
      Faizah binti Che Ros Senior Lecturer (Ir. Ts. Dr.) Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Water Related Disaster Modelling, Disaster Management and Mitigation
      Mohammad Hussaini bin Wahab Senior Lecturer (Ts. Dr.) Architectural and Community Planning, Regional Environmental System, Urban Identity
      Rohayah binti Che Amat Senior Lecturer (Lar. Dr.) Historic Urban Landscape, Heritage & Conservation, Landscape Architecture, Urban Studies
      Sahnius bt Usman Senior Lecturer (Dr.) Biomedical Engineering
      Shuib bin Rambat Senior Lecturer (Dr.) Engineering Management Systems, Remote Sensing & GIS
      Khamarrul Azahari Razak Senior Lecturer (Sr. Dr.) Disaster risk management, geospatial technology, geosciences, landslide assessment, mapping, spatial analysis, engineering geology, slope stability, GIS, satellite image analysis, geospatial science, geomatics, earth observation, geographical analysis
      Muhammad Athif bin Mat Zin Senior Lecturer (Dr.) Biomechanics, Motion Analysis, Electromyography, Functional Data Analysis, Mathematical Modelling
      Liew Wai Loan Senior Lecturer (Dr.) Wastewater Treatment Processes, Wastes Conversion / Recycling, ESG
    • Postdocs/Researchers:

    • Postgraduate Students:
      • Dr. Sahnius :
        1) Sharifah Khairun Nisa' Bt Habib Elias (PhD),
        2) Maimoona Ansari (PhD)
      • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aznah:
        1) Nurain binti Abdul Jalil (PhD),
        2) Khirtha Rubini Balan (MSc),
        3) Noor Atiqah Shahrani (MSc),
        4) Nur Shahira Syamimi Razali (MSc)

    Photos and Media

    • Activity or Lab Photos (optional):

    • Logo (if any):

    Introductory Video

    UTM Open Day