Water and Wastewater Management for Developing Countries: Selected Proceedings of the Iwa International Conference, Held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 29-31 October 2001

by Zaini Ujang

Selected Proceedings of the IWA International Conference, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 29-31 October 2001. The IWA Conference on Water and Wastewater Management for Developing Countries was the first conference specially organized for developing countries after the merger between the International Association on Water Quality (IAWQ) and the International Water Services Association (IWSA). Its aim was to promote the concept of appropriate technologies for water and wastewater management, and to enhance linkages between institutions, practitioners and research groups working on low-cost treatment and waste recycling systems, and promote collaborative R&D. The outcome was a highly successful and well attended conference, with more than 300 participants from 21 countries. From this large and high quality programme (there were over 130 oral presentations), 42 articles have been selected after peer review. They cover the three major subject areas of the operation and management; water supply and treatment; and wastewater technology. These proceedings thus contain not only the important details on the outcomes of the conference, but also demonstrate the significant advances being made in research and development on water and wastewater management in developing countries by researchers and practitioners, from developing and developed countries alike.

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

With an army father posted in different states around the country, Zaini learnt to be independent from a young age, living in a student hostel for the children of army personnel in Melaka, visiting his parents during school holidays.

The country's youngest Vice Chancellor at 43 years old, Zaini joined UTM as a permanent academic staff in 1988.

Although he is now an acknowledged water expert, Zaini did not have any childhood ambitions to become a scientist. He credits his chemistry and biology teachers at school for awakening his interest in science.

Zaini Ujang is an academic administrator, environmental engineers and scientist who attempts to blend knowledge, skills, experience and innovation in a harmonious manner. As Secretary-General of the Higher Education Ministry, he helmed the direction of the 2015-2025 Education Development Plan (Higher Education)with a variety of innovations and transformations Education Development Plan in terms of ecosystem, governance and funding of higher education institutions.

As Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) from 2008-2013, he introduced the new academia as his brainchild, and transformed UTM into the first local university to have more than 50% of graduate students, especially in Science and Technology. He was also the first recipient of the Merdeka Award (distinguished academic achievement in 2009.

Zaini’s scholastic achievement and thought leadership in water matters were soon recognised locally and internationally. He is currently the Chairman of the Environmental Quality Council, Malaysia and is one of the Commissioners of the National Commission on Water Services. He was the Vice President of the International Water Association (IWA) from 2004-06, and serves as Deputy President of the Malaysia Water Association. Zaini is a Fellow to the Institution of Chemical Engineers (UK) and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. He has been the Senior Advisor to the Prince Khalid bin Sultan Chair on Water Research, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia since January this year and heads a team studying groundwater issues in Madinah.

Zaini has received several accolades for his outstanding scientific research including the Malaysia Water Award 2004 (Research), the Outstanding Young Malaysian Award (Academic leadership) in 2004 and the Gold Medal from the Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Am (IPTA) Expo on Research & Development in 2005.

Zaini has published over 200 technical papers, 22 books, chapters, monographs and technical reports on environmental engineering. He and his coworkers have registered 21 patents and copyrights. Sought after for his expertise, he has co-edited two books with Mogens Henze, an expert in environmental engineering entitled Municipal Wastewater Management in Developing Countries and Environmental Biotechnology. Zaini was appointed Member of the Editorial Board, Water Science & Technology, WST Water Supply and later appointed editor of the Water and Environmental Management Series in 2003 under IWA Publishing, London. He received the highest citation for journal publications based on the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) citation index for environmental engineering in Malaysia.

Zaini is a married to Zainah Moktar and is a father of four. Apart from his interest in art, he is a bibliophile who enjoys reading and writing, horseback riding, jungle trekking and cycling.