CEE - Overview of the Department
The department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering is one of the oldest departments at the Faculty of Engineering. It was previously known as the department of Sugar Technology during the days when sugar manufacturing was the main economic pillar of the country. The department has evolved and developed over the years from Sugar Technology to Chemical and Sugar Engineering and nowadays Chemical and Environmental Engineering to adapt with the present needs to continue progress both nationally and internationally.
Chemical engineering is a discipline that extends to numerous areas of technology and development. Chemical engineers are responsible for the conception and design of processes for the purpose of production, transportation and transformation of raw materials into desired products. In simple terms, chemical engineering involves the conversions of raw materials into valuable products on an industrial scale and in particular in a sustainable manner. It encompasses research and development in the laboratory followed by implementation of the process and technologies in commercial scale production. Chemical Engineering is a rewarding and challenging profession and the demand of chemical engineer has been increasing globally with the large number of emerging industries which depend on the synthesis and processing of chemicals and materials in innovative ways.
In conjunction with core chemical engineering, the courses offered by the department extend to two key areas namely the environment and energy. Two 4-years undergraduate programmes namely ‘Chemical and Environmental Engineering’ and ‘Chemical and Renewable Energy Engineering’ and one master programme on ‘Solid Waste and Resource Management’ are currently offered. The department concurrently collaborates in other disciplines and with institutions, companies and entrepreneurs in order to ensure a well prepared and efficient work force. After the 4-year degree course the graduates get an excellent foundation for careers in the sugar industry, energy and power plants, textile industry, food industry, oil industry, water treatment, waste management, governmental bodies while they can equally assume responsibilities in management, marketing and training. As a continuation of the first degree, the students can pursue further studies in a field of their choice associated to their degrees or in research and development by the means of MPhil/PhD studies.
The department has a relative young but very motivated and dedicated academic staff team who provides a dynamic, outstanding hands-on learning experience for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The staffs are also engaged in local and international research projects that produce leading contributions to science and engineering. They are supported by a dynamic team of technical staff who runs the 4 different laboratories namely the Chemical Engineering Lab, Sugar Technology Lab, Sustainable Environmental Lab and Solid Waste Lab.