Malvin, a master’s student in Chemical Engineering at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), was awarded the Gold Medal by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) for Outstanding Academic Achievement. The award was presented at the 66th IEM Annual Dinner and Awards Night, held on 19 April 2025. YB Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the Minister of Works, witnessed the ceremony.

Malvin being conferred the IEM Gold Medal Award by IEM President Ir. Prof. Dr. Jeffrey Chiang Choong Luin

IEM Gold Medal Awards are conferred annually to engineering students across Malaysia who demonstrate exceptional academic merit, strong leadership, and active involvement in co-curricular and community-focused initiatives. Candidates must be IEM student members enrolled in accredited engineering programmes.

Graduating with distinction, Malvin stood out for both his academic excellence and active contributions to the XMUM community. As a core committee member of the XMUM IEM Student Chapter, he created Puzzle Rumble during the MCO, an innovative online escape room-style competition for chemical engineering students.

In his final year, Malvin co-authored a book chapter and co-filed a patent on microbial immobilization technology under Associate Professor Dr. Tan Jian Ping - a breakthrough that laid the foundation for Agrofly, the agritech startup he co-founded. Agrofly was later named among the Top 12 startups in the MYStartup Pre-Accelerator Cohort 3, a national project initiated by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).

Currently pursuing postgraduate studies at XMUM, Malvin focuses on sustainability and biochemical engineering. He has helped secure over RM315,000 in national grants, contributing to projects on paddy disease biocontrol, BSFL frass composting, and 1,3-propanediol production. He collaborates with major agritech companies, including SD Guthrie and KLK Oleo, driving innovation in Malaysia’s bioeconomy.

“I’m grateful for my parents, friends, teachers, mentors, my supervisor, and all the people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for making me into the person I am today, allowing me to receive this prestigious award,” Malvin said.

From left: Ir. Kim Kek Seong, Ir. Dr. Liew Chia Pao, Malvin, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Jian Ping