Prof. Abdul Latif Ahmad CV Summary of submitted work

I stand before you and the world uplifted by the honor of being awarded the Prince Sultan Bin AbdulAziz International Prize for Water. As the first Malaysian to receive this award, I accept it on behalf of the people of Malaysia, and indeed the Asian countries. Although this prize comes to me, it acknowledges the work of numerous individuals, particularly my graduate students who have worked conscientiously to produce the findings and ideas that are recognized today, as well as other colleagues and friends around the globe with whom I have collaborated to advance the field of alternative water resources branch.

In awarding this prize, His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz and the Research Center for Environment, Water & Desert have placed the critical issue of the environment before the world. For their visionary action and foresight, I am profoundly grateful. Recognizing the value and power of water is an idea whose time has finally come.

My work over the past ten years has always appreciated the environment and the potency of water. Threatened with water shortages and the deterioration of water quality, the need for environment conservation to ensure continuous clean supply of raw water for the future generation is extremely important. In fact, a danger has surfaced that more than half of humanity will be living with water shortages, depleted fisheries and polluted coastlines within 50 years. This has ultimately led to outcries for water pollution prevention where a clean technology which is environmentally viable has to be invented.

A growing area of scientific investigation had focus on the membrane separation technology and this had inspired me to work on the wastewater treatment by using membrane technology. My invention has contributed in solving the most severe water pollution problem in Malaysia. The current invention incorporated the zero-discharge concept, environmental friendly, achieve sustainability and protect the environment. Besides, this cost effective invention has also greatly encouraged water reuse and recycle, as well as the preservation of adequate water resources. By integrating membrane technology in current invention wastewater treatment technology, smaller space for installation, lower investment as well as operation cost were accomplished.

As I conclude, I reflect on my childhood experience when I would go to a stream next to my home to fetch water for my mother. I would play in the stream, with fishes swimming around in the clear water against the background of the brown earth. This is the world I inherited from my parents. Today, over 30 years later, the stream is polluted, and children will never know what they have lost. We must put our shoulders to the cart and meet the challenge to restore the environment and give back to our younger generation a world of beauty and wonder.

Thank you.