A SENIOR engineering lecturer from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has received the 2021 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment.
Freddy Tan Kheng Suan was among five Malaysians who were presented with certificates at the Announcement and Presentation Ceremony by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who is the royal patron and chairman of the Merdeka Award Trust (MAT).
Having won the award with his research proposal to design the next-generation onboard charger for electric vehicles (EVs) using state-of-the-art wide-bandgap technology, Tan, with a PhD in power electronics, will undergo a three-month attachment programme at ETH Zurich, a public research university in the city of Zurich, Switzerland.
The “wide-bandgap” technology refers to higher-energy electronic band gaps. The difference in energy levels creates the semiconductor action as electrons switch between the two levels.
This permits devices to operate at much higher voltages, frequencies and temperatures than conventional semiconductor materials, according to a press release from the university dated Dec 13.
Tan said he would discuss potential collaboration with the professors at ETH Zurich.
“Thereafter, I will have the prototype built in APU. I will apply for relevant government and industrial grants to develop it,” he said in the press release.
Tan posited that EVs are gaining popularity and are predicted to dominate the automobile market by 2040 or earlier.
“As this is an emerging study area, it lacks local experts for research and development. Securing this grant will allow me to learn from overseas experts and to foster potential collaboration,” he said.
With relevant knowledge and technical skills, he said, he would be able to foster a closer link between the research area and the engineering fundamentals, and help to develop better understanding and appreciation among students.
“I can also collaborate with other relevant local industrial partners for the final year projects and postgraduate projects of our students,” he said.
Tan is a registered professional engineer by the Board of Engineers Malaysia and a member of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia.
He had earlier pitched his research proposal to the board of trustees of the MAT, set up by Petronas, Shell Malaysia and ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc.
The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment is designed for Malaysians aged between 22 and 35 to engage in collaborative projects at an international host institute of selected disciplines, including education, arts, sports, community or social works, and the environment, health, science and technology.
This grant is an extension of the Merdeka Award, which honours outstanding works and achievements that have made a lasting impact on the country and its people.
The recipients will be provided with the necessary skills and expertise, expanding their capabilities to deliver exceptional advancements for the nation and society.
In his speech during the presentation ceremony, Petronas president and group chief executive officer, as well as MAT board member Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik said the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment was introduced to nurture promising young Malaysians and support them in their journey of excellence.
“We have selected our grant recipients with the full confidence that they will make the most of this opportunity to engage with the world’s renowned foremost experts in their respective fields, gain valuable insights for their research and bring their learning back to Malaysia to further galvanise their respective industries and talent pools,” he said.
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