Liew Mui Fung, a Chemical Engineering Undergraduate student at Xiamen University Malaysia, was awarded First Runner-Up in the Technical Essay Writing Competition held as part of Unleashing Engineer’s Potential: An Engineering Challenge 2025 (AEC 2025).

The award ceremony was held at Universiti Malaya on 26 April 2025.

Organised by the Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Club (CEUC) of Universiti Malaya, AEC 2025 is a nationwide event that aims to foster innovation, technical skills, and problem-solving among chemical engineering undergraduates. The month-long competition featured multiple categories, including technical essay writing, technical infographic, technical video, technical case studies, and chemical engineering challenges.

Mui Fung's essay, titled "AI-Driven Smart Aeration: Revolutionizing Wastewater Treatment Efficiency", explored the potential of employing smart technologies, e.g. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Digital Twin, to improve the efficiency and reduce energy consumption of aeration systems in wastewater treatment plants. The essay emphasized the integration of these technologies to promote more sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in the water sector.