Ibrahim Che Omar

A laboratory scale bioremediation of Tapis crude oil contaminated soil by bioaugmentation of Acinetobacter baumannii T30C

Microbial degradation of Tapis crude oil contaminated soil by Acinetobacter baumannii T30C was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the selected potential hydrocarbon degrader in stimulating bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil with different treatment units in microcosms with 2.5 kg soil. Previously, A. baumannii T30C was isolated from a Tapis crude oil-contaminated soil of oil refinery plant, Terengganu, Malaysia. The reduction of residual hydrocarbons in the soil was observed for a period of about 35 days. The study showed that amendment of nutrients was needed for stimulating the growth of A. baumannii T30C and indigenous microorganism in assisting the degradation of residual hydrocarbons in the soil.

Academic Promotion in Malaysian Public Universities: A Critical Look at Issues and Challenges.

Abstract The expansion and transformation of Malaysian universities have generated major changes in the nature of academic employment and the structure of academic promotion in higher education institutions. These changes have considerable implications, in particular for the policy and practice of academic promotion in the public universities. We argue that despite sharing one common grade and salary system, distinct and significant differences exist in the academic promotion systems of the public universities. Drawing on one recent study on the academic promotion process in Malaysian public universities to contextualise our discussion, this paper highlights the complexity in the promotion process in these institutions. It also discusses and articulates the attendant issues and challenging aspects of the academic promotion process. We argue that the interrelated issues and challenges, and certain academic practices and habits stemming from the pressure to gain a promotion are pervasive, and that they affect the academic value system and work culture. We conclude by asserting the importance of applying a consistent standard for promotion within a single salary system and that the academic promotion system in the public universities should ultimately affirm and communicate core academic values, and also aim at obtaining evidence of excellent accomplishments.