Alumna Afrida Kabir to Study Advanced Energy Solutions at Aalto University

Society consumes too much energy. Industry takes an especially large slice of the energy pie, and Afrida Kabir, a process engineer and 2016 NJIT chemical engineering graduate, is heading to Finland to study technologies that would curb industry’s energy appetite.

Kabir recently joined the Advanced Energy Solutions master’s program at Aalto University on a full-ride scholarship to study drying processes, methods, and designs to make drying more efficient and sustainable.

“The drying process is nothing more than taking the liquid out of a product,” said Kabir. “What happens in the process is that you form and then dry your product for all kinds of applications – cosmetics, toothpaste, rubber, tires. That takes a lot of energy. I will be personally looking at how we can make these systems more energy efficient. Can we change the method? Or is this something more mechanical that we can improve? While we are looking into efficiency, how can we transfer it from fossil fuel to renewable energy?”

The University of Aalto has what every process engineer dreams about – a drying method research lab. Kabir was also attracted to the flexible curriculum where she can choose any management course in her program. When all is said and done, Kabir hopes to become an industry consultant. For now, she is excited to study the practices that enhance sustainability in a culture that values environmental sustainability.

“Finland is an awesome country for energy sustainability,” said Kabir. “Being a cold weather country, it’s doing a fantastic job conserving and maintaining their lower carbon footprint year to year.”

Kabir’s ambition to develop sustainable industrial technology was cultivated while working with Evonik, a German chemical manufacturing company headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. The company sent her to Germany for six months for a leadership development program, where she was impressed by the environmentally sustainable practices and policies.  

“That was an eye-opening experience for me,” said Kabir. “I grew more concerned and aware of community-based consumption. They use public transportation and no air conditioning. I got used to having no AC as well. That triggered my curiosity. Who is doing the best job on energy? In my opinion, Scandinavian countries do the best.”

A winding path

Studying in another country and building on its strengths is nothing new to Kabir. She moved to the U.S. from Bangladesh at the age of 18, attended Brookdale Community College in Lincroft before transferring to NJIT in 2014 as an  Albert Dorman Honors College student.

"The Honors College really helped me to figure out myself, especially as an engineer."

Kabir started community college pre-med, but soon realized that solving mechanical and chemical problems excited her more than human biology. She encourages undergraduates to explore their interests, gain work experience after college, and not to worry too much about failure and making mistakes.

“What really helped me coming out of college is that I took different roles in procurement and marketing. Then I worked in engineering, which is my background,” said Kabir. “If someone wants to go back to college, it’s better to have a couple of years of experience to determine what they really want to study and how they can contribute. When I applied [to Aalto University], what really helped me was knowing what I wanted to do rather than what I wanted to study.”

Kabir’s best piece of advice may be to lean on those who support you and on those you trust.

“The Honors College really helped me to figure out myself, especially as an engineer,” said Kabir. “Dr. Lorna Ronald really helped bring writing skills out of me. We had bi-weekly sessions to dig through my own mind to figure out what I really wanted to be. I can tell you with 100% confidence that I wouldn’t be able to stand up with my scholarship if Dr. Ronald was not there.”