Mrs. Zulaikha Mokhtar – Environmental Challenges – Best Researcher Award
Alignment with Award Category
Zulaikha Mokhtar’s research and professional contributions align seamlessly with the Best Researcher Award’s emphasis on innovation, impact, and sustainability. Her work demonstrates a commitment to advancing both theoretical and practical aspects of environmental engineering, making her a strong contender for this recognition.
Department of Environment| Malaysia
Profile
🎓Early Academic Pursuits
Education and Training
Zulaikha Mokhtar’s journey into the field of chemical engineering began with a strong academic foundation. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Putra, Malaysia, where she developed a keen interest in environmental compliance and industrial process optimization. Her pursuit of excellence continued with a Master of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from The University of Queensland, Australia, where her research focused on advanced environmental engineering solutions. This robust educational background laid the groundwork for her dynamic career in regulatory compliance and sustainability initiatives.
💼Professional Endeavors
Academic Positions
Zulaikha’s career is marked by impactful roles in the Department of Environment, Malaysia:
- Senior Assistant Director, Legal and Forensics (2021 – Present):
- Spearheaded forensic strategies and policies to strengthen investigative capabilities.
- Designed and conducted capacity-building programs, equipping officers with skills in environmental law enforcement.
- Developed comprehensive SOPs for forensic investigations, ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Senior Assistant Director, Environmental Compliance (2021 – 2024):
- Reduced environmental non-compliance incidents through proactive initiatives.
- Implemented advanced effluent management technologies and directed environmental impact assessments to align with national and international standards.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to champion sustainability goals in alignment with Malaysia’s environmental commitments.
- Head of Prosecution Division (2013 – 2021):
- Played a pivotal role in prosecuting 4,825 cases with a remarkable 98.7% conviction rate.
- Assessed industries for regulatory compliance and improved enforcement outcomes significantly.
- Head of Enforcement Division (2010 – 2013):
- Investigated public complaints and resolved pollution control issues.
- Maintained an industry compliance rate of 98.6% and ensured timely complaint investigations.
📚Contributions and Research Focus on Environmental Challenges
Zulaikha Mokhtar’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to addressing environmental challenges: Effluent Management: She has pioneered the adoption of innovative effluent management technologies, optimizing resource efficiency while ensuring regulatory compliance. Regulatory Leadership: Her expertise in environmental stewardship and legal enforcement has led to landmark prosecutions that reinforce Malaysia’s regulatory excellence. Capacity Building: Through training and development initiatives, she has empowered teams across Malaysia to effectively implement environmental regulations and forensic analyses. Research and Innovation: Zulaikha’s work bridges academia and practice, focusing on developing scalable, sustainable solutions for industrial and environmental challenges.
🏆Accolades and Recognition
Zulaikha’s dedication and excellence have been widely recognized: 2021: Excellence Service Award for the year of Service 2020. 2021: Special Appreciation from the Ministry of Environment and Water for prosecution under Section 124K, SOSMA. 2013 & 2017: Certificates of Appreciation from the Environmental Institute of Malaysia for her contributions to training programs. 2003: Education Award for JPA Scholarship for her degree program. 2022: HLP Kenal Pasti (Federal Training Scholarship) for her Master of Philosophy.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Community Impact
Zulaikha’s leadership has had a transformative effect on Malaysia’s environmental landscape: Strengthened Enforcement: Her efforts have enhanced regulatory compliance and reduced industrial environmental violations. Prosecutorial Excellence: Her work in prosecuting environmental violations has set new benchmarks for legal enforcement in Malaysia. Sustainability Advocacy: By promoting sustainability practices across industries, she has contributed to Malaysia’s environmental stewardship goals.