Young UMT Researcher Awarded Japan KWEF Grant
Young UMT Researcher Awarded Japan KWEF Grant By Amirul Salam Hasan, Corporate Communications Office Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) doctoral student Hii Chiong Hwee has further strengthened the university’s research excellence after being selected to receive the Kurita Water and Environment Foundation (KWEF) Overseas Research Grant 2026 from Japan. The grant, valued at JPY400,000, supports […]
Source: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu · August 26, 2026 at 4:38 AM · AI-assisted report
Single-sourceKUALA LUMPUR, UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA TERENGGANU (UMT), 26 AUGUST 2026 —
UMT Doctoral Student Secures Japan’s KWEF Grant for Water Pollution Research
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KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 26): Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) doctoral student Hii Chiong Hwee has been awarded the Kurita Water and Environment Foundation (KWEF) Overseas Research Grant 2026, valued at JPY400,000, for his project on electrochemical sensing of nitrogenous pollutants in water.
The grant will fund his research titled “Tailoring Diphenylacetylene-Gold(I) Hybrid Complexes for Selective Electrochemical Sensing of Nitrogenous Pollutants with In Silico Insights”, conducted from October 2026 to September 2027. The project aims to develop advanced electrochemical sensors to detect nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia—key pollutants from agricultural, industrial, and domestic sources that threaten water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
Hii, under the supervision of Prof. Chm. Dr. Wan Mohd Khairul Wan Mohamed Zin, Dean of UMT’s Faculty of Science and Marine Environment (FSSM), emphasized the grant’s role in advancing sensor technology for environmental monitoring. “This grant provides a meaningful opportunity to refine electrochemical sensors for more selective and effective detection of nitrogen pollutants,” he stated.
The research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, supporting global efforts to monitor and protect water resources. UMT highlighted the project’s strategic value in strengthening its research agenda in environmental sustainability and water quality technologies, leveraging the university’s expertise in marine and environmental sciences.
KWEF’s recognition of Hii’s work underscores UMT’s growing contribution to translating fundamental chemistry research into solutions for pressing environmental challenges. The grant is expected to lay the groundwork for developing more precise pollutant detection technologies, reinforcing science-based approaches to safeguarding water resources.
Details on commercialization timelines or industry partnerships remain undisclosed.