The partnership between Intrix Group and SEGi University aims to develop practical solutions for wastewater treatment.—Photo from Unsplash.
Intrix Group, Segi University sign MoA to integrate eco-friendly practices to address wastewater challenges and foster innovation
A LANDMARK partnership was announced on Aug 5 in Kuala Lumpur, with hydro and thermal technology leader Intrix Group and SEGi University signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) aimed at advancing sustainable engineering practices.
The collaboration also focused on integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into engineering education and research.
The partnership attempts to address significant issues in wastewater treatment encountered by various industries.
Recently, the Department of Environment (DOE) revealed that 25 out of 672 rivers in Malaysia are deemed polluted due to insufficient wastewater treatment, underscoring the urgent need to enhance these systems.
Conventional methods require extensive land, high operational costs and significant energy for aerobic systems.
Many processing plants struggle to meet wastewater discharge standards set by the DOE, especially as production volumes increase.
With global trends pushing for sustainability, these plants must either upgrade existing systems or build new, more efficient facilities.
A key initiative under the MoA is the focus on water filtration and waste management.
Intrix Group is addressing the issue of used water filters, exploring their reuse in industrial wastewater treatment. This aligns with the group’s ESG goals.
SEGi University will leverage this collaboration to tackle these issues by aligning industry needs with academic research.
The university aims to develop practical solutions for wastewater treatment, enhancing its curriculum with industry insights and improving research outcomes.
This partnership will provide SEGi students with practical experience and access to innovative technologies, bridging the gap between education and industry.
(From left) Tee of Intrix Group and Teh from SEGi University join forces for sustainable innovation.
The collaboration is expected to drive significant nationwide impact, setting a precedent for integrating eco-friendly technologies and methodologies across educational institutions and industries.
This initiative will contribute to Malaysia’s broader environmental goals and sustainable development, promoting the adoption of innovative practices throughout the country.
Intrix Group chief executive officer Tee Tone Vei expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with SEGi University and Colleges on this groundbreaking initiative.
“At Intrix Group, we are dedicated to supporting ESG principles with our eco-friendly products, and we are one of the few companies globally that have filters that are 80% biocompatible.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to sustainability and innovation, and we look forward to empowering the next generation of engineers to build a better future.”
SEGi University vice chancellor Prof Dr Teh Geok Bee commented on the partnership, “We are proud to collaborate with Intrix Group to drive innovation and sustainability in engineering education.
“This partnership will provide our students with invaluable practical experience and exposure to advanced technologies, setting a new benchmark in academia-industry collaboration.”
Beyond technical advancements, Intrix Group is dedicated to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The company supports young talent through internships, training programmes and collaborative research projects, complementing SEGi’s mission for industry- relevant education.
Intrix Group will provide grants for research funding to support experiments, acquire equipment and advance sustainable engineering solutions.
This partnership also offers select master’s students from SEGi with hands-on experience using cutting-edge technologies, thereby improving their career prospects and promoting a culture of sustainability at the university.
Intrix Group and SEGi will soon introduce workshops, seminars and joint research projects focused on sustainable engineering, creating job opportunities for young engineers and contributing to Malaysia’s green transformation.
In a more sustainable future, collaborations like this one between Intrix Group and SEGi highlight the transformative power of industry-academia partnerships.
This MoA is not just a formal agreement, it is a blueprint for a brighter, greener and more innovative future.
For SEGi students, it represents an invitation to be part of something truly impactful.
They will have the opportunity to learn from Intrix Group’s top engineers, gaining practical experience and exposure to advanced technologies, thereby setting a new standard in academia-industry collaboration.
Teh said some foreseeable challenges both parties may encounter include aligning academic schedules with industry timelines and project deadlines, ensuring the curriculum remains up-to-date with rapidly evolving technologies and balancing theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience.
She also added that as the goal of the collaboration is to offer an alternative wastewater treatment solution, the university would consider working with plants or factories that produce run-offs that could potentially affect river water quality in the second phase of the project.
Renowned internationally for its innovation and expertise, Intrix Group was established in 2003 with a presence across APAC and Europe.
It holds 19 patents and operates across three business segments: exports, projects and consumer products, with the mission of designing disruptive technological solutions that simplify tasks for mankind without compromising on ESG principles.
The company specialises in designing and supplying energy-efficient and electrocution-proof water heaters, heat pumps and instant purified boiling water taps for premium property developers, luxury hotels and high-traffic, top lifestyle brands, as well as for residential use.
The solutions it provides are featured in the world’s second tallest building, Merdeka 118, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Known as one of the largest private higher education providers in Malaysia, SEGi serves 16,000 students in five major campuses across Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya, Penang and Sarawak.
