Emeritus Professor Ir. Dr. Mohd Ali Hashim is one of Malaysia's most respected chemical engineers, whose pioneering research has significantly advanced the fields of separation technology, environmental engineering, and sustainable chemical processes. Over a distinguished academic career spanning more than four decades at Universiti Malaya, he has established himself as an internationally recognised authority in chemical engineering through groundbreaking research, innovation, and the development of technologies that address pressing industrial and environmental challenges. His enduring contributions to engineering education and scientific research earned him the title of Emeritus Professor, while his exceptional impact on scholarship and national development was recognised with the Merdeka Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement in 2015, one of Malaysia's most prestigious honours for academic excellence.
After completing his undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at the University of Aston in the United Kingdom, Professor Mohd Ali pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Birmingham, where he obtained both his Master's degree in Biological Engineering and a doctorate in Chemical Engineering. Returning to Malaysia in 1979, he joined Universiti Malaya and became one of the pioneers in building the University's strength in chemical engineering research. Throughout his academic career, he combined scientific excellence with practical engineering applications, ensuring that his research addressed real industrial needs while contributing to fundamental advances in the discipline.
Professor Mohd Ali is best known for his pioneering work in colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs), an innovative microbubble technology that transformed approaches to industrial separation and wastewater treatment. His research demonstrated how these highly stable gas dispersions could efficiently remove suspended solids, oils and other contaminants from industrial effluents, providing environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional treatment methods. These pioneering studies positioned Universiti Malaya among the early international contributors to this specialised field and established Professor Mohd Ali as one of its leading researchers.
Recognising the growing importance of sustainable chemistry, Professor Mohd Ali later expanded his research into ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, helping to introduce greener alternatives for industrial processing. Under his leadership, Universiti Malaya established the Universiti Malaya Centre for Ionic Liquids (UMCiL), which has since become a leading research centre dedicated to environmentally benign solvents and sustainable chemical technologies. His work has contributed to cleaner production methods in areas including petroleum refining, biomass utilisation, palm oil processing, wastewater treatment and renewable energy, reinforcing Malaysia's position in green chemical engineering research.
Beyond his scientific discoveries, Professor Mohd Ali has played a vital role in shaping Malaysia's research landscape. As an academic leader, he contributed to strengthening Universiti Malaya's research ecosystem through strategic planning, postgraduate education and interdisciplinary collaboration. He was actively involved in developing the University's research agenda, including initiatives that enhanced research quality and international competitiveness. His leadership has also extended to the engineering profession, where he became the first Malaysian Country Chairman of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), United Kingdom, and was elected a Fellow of IChemE, recognising his professional distinction and contributions to chemical engineering.
An accomplished scholar, Professor Mohd Ali has produced more than 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications, secured over 20 patents, and supervised XXX postgraduate researchers who have gone on to contribute to academia, industry and government. His research has consistently bridged the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial application, demonstrating how engineering research can deliver tangible economic, environmental and societal benefits.
Today, Emeritus Professor Ir. Dr. Mohd Ali Hashim is recognised not only for his scientific achievements but also for his vision of engineering as a catalyst for sustainable development. Through his pioneering research, academic leadership and commitment to nurturing future generations of engineers, he has left an enduring legacy that continues to shape chemical engineering research in Malaysia and beyond.
