Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), through its Centre for Water Engineering and Technology (CWET), has highlighted the critical role of technological innovation in addressing the dual challenges of aging infrastructure and an ageing workforce in Malaysia’s water sanitation sector.
This was presented by the Programme Coordinator at CWET, Associate Professor Dr. Ahmad Shakir Mohd Saudi, during the ‘Roundtable Discussion on Aging Infrastructure and Aging Workforce in the Water Sanitation Sector in Malaysia’.
His presentation focused on CWET’s efforts in advancing smart water technologies, capacity development, and competency frameworks to support the upskilling of the current workforce—particularly in adapting to rapidly evolving engineering solutions.
The roundtable brought together a distinguished panel of thought leaders, including Mr. Narendran Maniam, Chief Executive Officer of Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), Dato’ Dr. Paul Selvaraj, Deputy President of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA), and Director of Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing™), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rahimah Ibrahim.
Also in attendance were senior experts from local research universities and institutions actively engaged in water and environmental sustainability research.
“IWK’s CEO also acknowledged that today’s technological advancements require specific skills that are not easily acquired by the older generation.
“Moreover, the declining interest in water sector careers among the younger generation is a growing concern, as it may lead to a shortage of skilled workers in the future,” said Associate Professor Dr. Ahmad Shakir.
The high-level event was organised by the Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) under UN-Habitat, in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and supported by the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund.
The roundtable was hosted by the Asian Sewerage Training, Research & Innovation Centre of Excellence (ASTRICE) on April 8, 2025.
Dr. Ahmad Shakir added that CWET’s invitation to the roundtable reflects its growing international reputation and recognition of expertise in water engineering.
The Centre’s participation is a testament to its active role in shaping the future of water sanitation solutions in Malaysia and the region.
As part of its broader mission, CWET continues to collaborate with global partners to develop sustainable, innovative, and inclusive approaches for managing ageing water infrastructure and enhancing workforce readiness, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
