Wan Ramli wins Merdeka award

ICHEME Fellow Wan Ramli Wan Daud has been given Malaysia’s prestigious Merdeka Award.

The award was created in 2007 by PETRONAS, Shell and ExxonMobil to recognise and reward individuals and organisations whose work has contributed to Malaysia’s growth and inspired greatness in its people.

Wan Ramli, who is professor of chemical engineering at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) was given his award for his outstanding scholarly research and development in advancing the technology of fuel cells for and hydrogen energy in Malaysia and region. Wan Ramli is the founding director of the Fuel Cell Institute at UKM.

The award was presented by His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan and the Royal Patron of the Merdeka Award Trust at a ceremony held at the Filharmonik Hall in Kuala Lumpur.

To date, 38 individuals and organisations have been presented with the Merdeka award, including water treatment expert and IChemE Fellow Ali Hashim. Winners take home a trophy and RM500,000 (US$112,000).

Wan Ramli served as chair of IChemE’s Malaysia board from 2008–2009.