USM Chemical Engineering Welcomes 110 New Students for the 2026/2027 Academic Session
24 September 2026 – The School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) warmly welcomed 110 new first-year students to the Chemical Engineering programme during the new student registration day held at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus.
The new cohort comprises 48 male and 62 female students, including 106 local students and four international students; from China (3) and Pakistan (1). The registration programme provided an opportunity for the new students to familiarise themselves with the School, meet academic and support staff, and gain an early understanding of the learning environment and facilities awaiting them throughout their undergraduate journey.
A Warm Welcome to the New Cohort
The programme began at 8.30 am. with a photographic session at the Dataran Dewan Kuliah, Engineering Campus, bringing together the new students, lecturers, administrative staff, and technical staff of the School of Chemical Engineering.
The session was followed by a welcoming briefing led by the Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering, Professor Ir. Dr. Zainal Ahmad. In his address, the Dean introduced the School and its academic and support staff while providing the students with an overview of the environment they would become part of as Chemical Engineering students at USM.
The briefing provided an important first interaction between the new students and the School's academic community, helping them begin their university journey with greater familiarity and confidence.
Getting to Know the School and Its Academic Environment
Following a light breakfast, the students proceeded to the School of Chemical Engineering for a further briefing by the Deputy Dean (Academic and International), Associate Professor Dr. Azam Taufiq Mohd Din.
The session introduced students to important aspects of their academic journey and provided them with an opportunity to better understand the expectations, opportunities, and learning environment associated with the Chemical Engineering programme.
The welcoming activities also encouraged the students to begin building connections with their peers and the School community as they embark on their first year of university education.
From Registration to Hands-On Exploration
After lunch, the new students were ushered to the Computer Laboratory to complete their course registration. This marked an important step in officially commencing their academic journey at USM. Following the registration process, the students participated in a guided tour of the School's laboratories and other facilities. The visit allowed them to gain firsthand exposure to the infrastructure that will support their learning, laboratory activities, projects, and other academic experiences throughout the programme.
The laboratory and facility tour also gave the students an early glimpse into the practical and multidisciplinary nature of Chemical Engineering education.
Hijau@SchE: Creating a Greener Learning Environment
As part of the day's activities, the Dean also officiated the Hijau@SchE initiative together with the new students. A dedicated green corner has been established at the staircase leading to the General Office on Level 1, incorporating small plants and recycling bins for use by staff and students.
The initiative aims to contribute towards a greener and more pleasant environment within the School while promoting awareness of sustainable practices. The plants provide a natural element that can contribute to improved air quality through carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen release, while the green space offers a more calming environment for students and staff to rest, interact, and engage in discussions.
The provision of recycling bins further integrates environmental responsibility into the initiative, supporting the principles of SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, while the broader green initiative contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Rainwater Harvesting: Turning Sustainability into Practice
The Dean also officiated the Rainwater Harvesting System@PPKK, another sustainability initiative developed by the School of Chemical Engineering to promote responsible water resource management.
The system repurposes an old 1,500 L tank retrieved from one of the School's laboratories to collect and store rainwater for non-potable applications, including landscape irrigation, general cleaning, and other utility purposes. With an anticipated daily usage of approximately 50–100 L, the system is estimated to offset around 1,050–2,000 L of treated municipal water per month during standard working days.
More than simply providing a practical water-saving solution, the system serves as a living example of how equipment reuse and green technology can be incorporated into campus operations. It provides students with an opportunity to see sustainability principles applied in a real-world setting and reinforces the importance of responsible water consumption.
The initiative directly supports SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and complements USM's broader commitment towards strengthening sustainable development and responsible resource management across the campus.
Starting the Chemical Engineering Journey with Purpose
The new student registration programme concluded at approximately 4.30 pm., bringing to a close a full day of orientation, registration, interaction, and exploration.
The School of Chemical Engineering extends a warm welcome to all 110 new students and wishes them every success as they begin their undergraduate journey at USM. As they take their first steps into Chemical Engineering, the School hopes that the new students will embrace every opportunity to learn, collaborate, innovate, and contribute towards a more sustainable future.
Welcome to the School of Chemical Engineering, Class of 2026/2027—your journey starts here, and the future is yours to engineer!
Text: MHU
Photos: AAO