On Wednesday, 23 April 2025, under the Royal Academy of Engineering–funded Distinguished International Associates 2024 project, Prof Leo, Dr Yu and 2 project staff, joined by Dr Anh Dao, Dr Quynh, Dr Ha Duy Hung and Mr Nguyen Thanh Quang from TDTU, visited the Semiconductor Technology Laboratory at Saigon Hi-Tech Park Research Laboratories. Mr Truong Huu Ly (Deputy Director of the R&D Center) and Mr Huynh Trong Phat (Deputy Head of the Semiconductor Lab) welcomed the delegation and introduced the lab’s purpose-built, ISO-rated clean-room zones. They explained that the 600 m² facility supports end-to-end chip development—from wafer front-end processing (including CVD and PVD thin-film deposition, photolithography, etching and dopant implantation) through back-end packaging (dicing, wire-bonding and assembly) and electrical testing, all the way to advanced metrology with SEM and FIB systems. Prof Leo and Dr Anh Dao then led a round-table discussion on future collaboration to achieve sustainable semiconductor manufacturing, focusing on joint research, shared facility access and so on. During the technical tour, delegates observed the lab’s key technologies in action and reviewed the analytical workflows underpinning device development. The visit concluded with mutual expressions of gratitude and agreement on next steps for formalizing the partnership. 

On 28 March 2025, Distinguished International Associates 2024 (DIA), funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE), organized an industrial visit to Coraza Systems Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., located at Lot 2777, Lorong Industri 5, Kawasan Industri Bukit Panchor, Nibong Tebal, Penang. Guided by Prof. Leo and Dr. Yu, the delegation comprised 12 undergraduates and 2 lecturers from Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam, alongside 2 project staff. The visit began with a corporate presentation that traced Coraza’s evolution, from its founding in 2001 to its current status as a global provider of high-precision sheet-metal fabrication, precision machining, and sub-modular assembly services. Mr Lim Teik Hoe, Chief Executive Officer of Coraza Systems Malaysia and Managing Director of Coraza Integrated Technology, warmly welcomed the group and highlighted the company’s strategic focus on integrated manufacturing solutions.

During the facility tour, participants observed the end-to-end production workflow including CNC cutting, bending and welding of sheet metal, precision machining, and so on. Coraza’s team emphasized their deployment of lean-manufacturing principles to maximize efficiency, alongside sustainability initiatives such as Earth Hour participation and in-house waste-minimization programs. The visit concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students engaged Coraza's engineers on topics such as quality control, supply-chain management, and sustainable production strategies. Prof. Leo and Dr. Yu expressed their gratitude to Coraza Systems Malaysia for hosting the delegation, noting that industry engagements like this are vital for bridging theoretical knowledge with practical skills and preparing industry-ready graduates. Participants departed with a deepened appreciation for academia–industry collaboration, enriched by exposure to one of Malaysia’s leading precision sheet-metal.

On 27 March 2025, 14 participants—12 undergraduates and 2 lecturers from Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam—assembled in the computer lab of the School of Chemical Engineering at USM’s Nibong Tebal campus for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Using GaBi training workshop. The workshop was organized by Distinguished International Associates (DIA) 2024 and generously funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE). 

The session began with a warm welcome and overview of the day’s objectives by DIA project leader, Prof. Leo. Following this, Dr. Fadzil delivered a concise laboratory-safety briefing to ensure a secure and productive environment for all attendees. Prof. Leo then introduced the fundamental principles of LCA, and its application and importance to industrial processes such as semiconductor manufacturing. She illustrated that how LCA can identify environmental hotspots and guide sustainable design choices, drawing on real-world case studies to highlight best practices. Transitioning to practical work, Prof. Leo demonstrated the GaBi software interface: defining system boundaries, compiling life-cycle inventory data, and interpreting both midpoint and endpoint impact results. Each participant followed along in a guided hands-on exercise, building a simple LCA model from raw data through graphical result interpretation. In the end, all 14 attendees had not only solidified their theoretical understanding of LCA methodology but had also acquired tangible skills in GaBi software for life-cycle inventory modeling, impact assessment, and sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, they gained deeper insights into how LCA is applied within the semiconductor industry to advance sustainable semiconductor manufacturing.

On 26 March 2025, Distinguished International Associates 2024 (DIA), funded by Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE), organized a visit to the Air Itam Water Treatment Plant operated by Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP). Guided by Dr. Chiam and 2 project staff, the outing brought together 14 participants—12 undergraduates and two lecturers from Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam. 

The visit began with a warm welcome from PBAPP’s team, followed by a detailed tour of Malaysia’s water treatment processes. The visit along with an interactive Q&A session, where students engaged with PBAPP's experts. The staff also shared their knowledge about the water supply strategy and collaboration between them with semiconductor industry.  

Dr. Chiam and Dr. Anh Dao both expressed their gratitude to PBAPP for hosting the group, and the participants departed with a deeper appreciation of the synergy between academia and industry. DIA extends its heartfelt thanks to Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang for providing this invaluable learning opportunity, underscoring the commitment to equipping graduates with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. 

Technical Talk Presentation Materials — ASHRAE Malaysia Chapter 

Survey

Participant Insights: The key stages in the semiconductor cleanroom construction process where LCA can help reduce environmental impact 

Participant Insights: The strategies recommended for reducing the carbon footprint of semiconductor cleanroom construction or operation.

Participant Insights: The innovative ideas or improvements suggested to enhance sustainability practices in semiconductor cleanroom construction 

On 15 January 2025, Distinguished International Associates 2024 (DIA), funded by Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) organized a highly informative industrial visit to Hotayi Electronic (M) Sdn. Bhd. in Batu Kawan, Penang. The visit, guided by Dr. Leo and Dr. Yu, brought together a diverse group of 19 students, comprising 17 undergraduates from the School of Mechanical Engineering and 2 postgraduates from the School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
The visit commenced with a warm welcome and a corporate presentation by Hotayi Electronic, introducing the company’s operations, key products, and their contributions to the global electronics industry. As a renowned provider of advanced electronics solutions, Hotayi shared its vision of leveraging innovation and sustainability to stay ahead in the competitive market. Following the presentation, students were taken on a guided tour of the facility, where they witnessed the intricate processes of electronic assembly, quality control, and automation in action. The team at Hotayi highlighted the integration of lean manufacturing practices and green initiatives, aligning with the company’s commitment to sustainable development. The visit concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where students engaged with Hotayi’s experts.

Dr. Leo and Dr. Yu expressed their gratitude to Hotayi Electronic for hosting the visit and emphasized the importance of such collaborations in fostering industry-ready graduates. The students left the facility with a deeper appreciation for the synergy between academia and industry, enriched by the practical exposure to one of Malaysia’s leading electronics manufacturers.

DIA extends its heartfelt thanks to Hotayi Electronic (M) Sdn. Bhd. for providing this valuable learning opportunity and to Dr. Leo and Dr. Yu for their dedicated guidance in nurturing future engineering talents. Such visits underscore the university's commitment to producing well-rounded graduates equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic approach for evaluating the environmental impacts associated with a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle, encompassing stages such as raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal or recycling. By quantifying metrics like greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and resource depletion, LCA provides a comprehensive understanding of the environmental footprint, enabling industries and researchers to identify opportunities for improvement, optimize processes, and promote sustainable practices. GaBi (Ganzheitliche Bilanzierung, meaning "holistic balancing" in German) is one of the leading software tools used to conduct LCA. Developed by Sphera, GaBi offers a robust platform for modeling complex systems and assessing their environmental impacts, supported by an extensive database of industry-specific processes and materials. Widely used across industries, academia, and research institutions, GaBi enables precise, science-based analyses to support sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance, and eco-design strategies, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions and advance long-term sustainability goals. 

As part of the WSU 101 course: Sustainability: Issues, Challenges & Prospects, 30 students from the Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), participated in a comprehensive training session on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using the GaBi software. During the session, students examined the environmental impacts of a simple yet illustrative product—a paperclip. This hands-on approach provided them with a practical understanding of the LCA process, from raw material extraction to product disposal. Using GaBi, the students leveraged its advanced tools to conduct precise and data-driven analyses, gaining valuable insights into sustainable product design and development. 

This impactful training is expected to significantly enhance the students’ abilities to integrate sustainability principles into their future careers. By applying LCA methodologies learned through GaBi, they will be able to identify areas for improvement, reduce environmental footprints, and contribute to greener innovations across industries. Furthermore, the training underlines the importance of sustainability in addressing global challenges, empowering the students to make informed and environmentally responsible decisions. For reference, an example of the paperclip LCA analysis conducted during the training session is attached.