Dr. Zainab Idris
Deputy Director General (R&D)
Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) , Malaysia
For more than 20 years, Dr. Zainab Idris has dedicated her career to oleochemistry, conducting a number of breakthrough research projects.
She obtained a BSc in Chemistry from Laurentian University of Sudbury, Canada before continuing for a master’s degree in Science at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). A life-long learner, she also gained an MBA from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia – Graduate School of Business (UKM – GSB) majoring in Marketing Strategy, and now holds a PhD in Chemistry also from UKM.
As a chemist, she was responsible for production at Rubberex (M) and Rubberthread (M) Sdn Bhd prior to joining Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) – a government agency that leads the promotion and development of Malaysia’s palm oil industry. Previously the Director of Advanced Oleochemical Technology Division (AOTD), and she is now the Deputy Director General (R&D) of MPOB.