ข่าววิชาการ-วิจัย-สัมมนา

The Center of Excellence in Wood and Biomaterials, in collaboration with the School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, will host a hybrid symposium “Engineering Answers in Practice: Sustainable Materials & Resilience” on 27 March 2026 as part of the Walailak Research Convention.

The symposium reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable biomaterials that respond to today’s pressing global challenges. According to Asst. Prof. Dr. Kamon Thinsurat, a researcher at the Center of Excellence on Woods and Biomaterials and moderator of the event, the world remains heavily reliant on materials that are not environmentally friendly and are difficult to recycle.

“One of the major global challenges,” he explained, “is how we transition towards materials that truly align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). If we are serious about sustainability, we must rethink how materials are produced, used, and reintegrated into the system.”

In line with this vision, the organizers have invited two expert speakers from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, a long-standing partner institution of the School of Engineering and Technology. The collaboration builds upon an existing Memorandum of Understanding and sustained academic engagement between the two institutions, including joint research initiatives, faculty exchanges, and participation in undergraduate project evaluations. 

One of the key sessions, “Turning Agricultural Waste into Green Engineering Materials: A Circular Economy Approach,” presented by Dr. Noor Amira Binti Sarani, will explore how agricultural waste materials can be transformed into high-value construction materials for a more sustainable future.

Dr. Kamon noted that agricultural by-products have traditionally been used for composting or energy production. While beneficial, these applications do not fully close the loop under the Bio-Circular Economy model.

“If we can process agricultural waste to enhance its mechanical strength,” he said, “it can be developed into construction components such as wall panels or non-load-bearing structural elements. This could help reduce reliance on expensive solid wood, concrete, or steel in areas where such materials are not structurally necessary.”

By converting waste into durable building materials, the approach not only increases economic value beyond primary energy production but also promotes circular resource use and reduces environmental impact.

Another highlight, “Sustainable Composite Materials: Enhancing Structural Performance and Energy Efficiency,” presented by Dr. Norhatizah Binti Salleh, will focus on advanced composite materials designed to improve structural performance while increasing building energy efficiency.

Traditional materials such as standard plywood walls may not effectively prevent heat transfer or sound leakage, often requiring additional insulation layers. Composite materials - engineered by combining multiple layers and bonding them with high-performance adhesives - can integrate the strengths of each material into a single system.

“With proper material selection, especially when those materials originate from waste streams,” Dr. Kamon explained, “we can develop energy-efficient panels that limit air and heat transfer into buildings. This contributes directly to energy savings and improved indoor comfort.”

Such innovations are increasingly important in the context of climate change, where buildings must adapt to rising temperatures and more extreme environmental conditions.

The symposium is expected to attract researchers, lecturers, and students from Walailak University and its international network, including participants from India, Taiwan, and China. Designed as an interactive knowledge-exchange platform, the event will feature technical sessions, a panel discussion, and opportunities for dialogue among participants.

Dr. Kamon emphasized that beyond knowledge sharing, the symposium aims to deepen international collaboration.

“When researchers from different countries meet and exchange ideas, it opens the door to stronger and more focused international collaborations in the future,” he said. “This is not only about one event - it is about building long-term academic partnerships.”

Registration is open until 26 March 2026. The venue will be announced via email upon registration confirmation.