Our journey

Our journey

This page serves as a repository of milestones we have achieved since our inception. It exemplifies the continuous impact we have made in the area of net-zero across academia, industry and policy leadership. We hope this  page serves as a testament to our ambition for innovation and excellence  for the years to come.

Our centre in numbers

Since we began in 2024, we are proud to achieve the following

  • 3.3 Million MYR

    in secured grants (domesic and international)

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  • 720 Thousand MYR

    funds distributed via Net-Zero Strategic Funding Scheme

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  • 80 total publications

    77 in ISI Top 25% journals

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  • 5 distinguished academics

    for CNZT Net-Zero Speaker Series

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Facts and figures

Timeline of Key Milestones & Achievements

2024

A new Future Centre

The Monash Future Centre for Net-Zero Technology is established.

Jan

New FRGS funding from MOHE

Prof Wu Ta Yeong, A/Prof Arshad Salema, and Dr Irene Chew received the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme award from Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia

Jul

Empowering sustainability via SOMChE 2024

CNZT successfully organised the 34th Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers (SOMChE 2024) with IChemE Malaysia

Jul

Advancing urban city infrastructure with US NSF funding

Dr Tan Wen Shan and Professor Tan Chee Pin received a US National Science Fund with Prairie View A&M University to prototype reverse osmosis rainwater systems

Impactful innovation recognised by SEDA

Dr Tan Wen Shan received the Impact Award at the 2024 Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Innovation Challenge.

Oct

Energy research funded by PETRONAS

Prof Chai Siang Piao's research on electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction was funded by PETRONAS through the PETRONAS-Academia Collaboration Dialogue.

Oct

Data-driven green hydrogen strategy research commences

Dr Ng Wen Cai received a grant from the Ministry of Economy, Malaysia to identify key gaps and areas for improvement, offering data-driven strategies to accelerate the scalability of green hydrogen in Malaysia.

Dec

Prof Wu received adjunct professorship

Prof Wu Ta Yeong appointed as an Adjunct Professor at Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), marking a milestone in strengthening the ties between CNZT/Monash University Malaysia and BUCT.

Dec

2025

Member research excellence hailed in national award

Prof Chai Siang Piao received the esteemed Malaysia Research Star Award 2025.

Feb

Joint seminar with IMS Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences

CNZT co-hosted a joint research seminar with the Institute of Material Sciences (IMS) of Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences.

Mar

Industry-academia outreach at Discover Monash 2025

CNZT showcased the breadth and depth of its multidisciplinary research in Discover Monash 2025.

Sep

Students' microalgae research clinched United Nations' Universities for Goal 13 Competition

Showcasing the potential of microalgae for clean net-zero industries, Mr Syafeeq Ahmed, Mr Manuja Dayanath, Ms Morgan Loh and A/Prof Saman Ilankoon won the United Nations' Universities for Goal 13 Competition.

Sep

Debut national showcase at IGEM 2025

Net-zero technologies and innovation are brought to the fore at CNZT's debut in IGEM 2025

Oct

Theme Leader received global recognition for women in science

Ir. Dr. Tan Lling-Lling (Adv-EM Theme Leader) was honoured with the prestigious L’Oréal‑UNESCO For Women in Science Award 2025.

Nov

MOHE award for biomass conversion research

Dr Joseph Ho received the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) award to tackle a key bottleneck in the efficient conversion of biomass (cellulose) into sustainable products.

Nov

Spearheading solar-driven innovation at EEPM-5

CNZT co-hosted the 5th International Symposium on Energy and Environmental Photocatalytic Materials (EEPM-5)

Nov

Shaping the energy transition landscape at CETA 2025

CNZT boldly showcased its net-zero innovations in the Clean Energy Transition Asia (CETA) 2025.

Dec

2026

China-ASEAN cooperation award recognition for solar-driven hydrogen

Presenting a proposal for circular approach to solar-driven hydrogen, Prof Chong Meng Nan's team and Prof Song Xueping (Guangxi University) won the Cooperation Star Award at the 3rd ASEAN-China Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.

Jan

Industrial funding for decarbonising diesel vehicles

Ir. Dr. Jong Boon Ooi (Jacob) secured an industry grant from Trident Nova Sdn. Bhd. aimed at developing a compact on-board hydrogen generation device, in collaboration with Dr. Arulnageswaran Aruleswaran and Mr. Agill Aynngran Raj.

May

Monash-Warwick funding for climate-resilient water infrastructure

A/Prof Chow Ming Fai received the Monash-Warwick Alliance fund with A/Prof. Soroush Abolfathi to investigate innovative biofiltration strategies for removing persistent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from urban stormwater.

May