JOHOR BAHRU, 23 July 2026 – The Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), proudly congratulates Dr. Nurhafizah Binti Hasim from the Department of Physics for successfully securing the prestigious Kurita Water and Environment Foundation (KWEF) Grant, valued at JPY 400,000.
The internationally funded research project, entitled “Development of Citric Acid Crosslinked CMC-Based Biodegradable Membrane Candidate for Sustainable Water Treatment,” will be conducted from October 2026 until September 2027.
This research aims to develop an environmentally friendly and biodegradable membrane based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) crosslinked with citric acid as a sustainable alternative for water treatment applications. By replacing conventional synthetic membrane materials with renewable biopolymers, the project seeks to contribute towards greener water purification technologies while addressing global challenges related to water pollution and environmental sustainability.
The funding from the Kurita Water and Environment Foundation (Japan) reflects international recognition of the project’s scientific merit and its potential to generate innovative solutions for sustainable water management. The research is expected to strengthen collaborations in environmental materials research while contributing to the advancement of membrane technology for clean water applications.
This achievement further demonstrates the Faculty of Science’s commitment to producing impactful research that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The Faculty of Science congratulates Dr. Nurhafizah on this outstanding accomplishment and wishes her every success in advancing innovative research that will benefit both society and the environment through sustainable scientific solutions.
