Faculty of Science and Technology
FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
FST to the fore
Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals
Activity
CSR Bateq Forest Camp PMFST
Faculty of Science and Technology Student Association (PMFST), in collaboration with the Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia (YFBM), has successfully organised a program, “CSR Bateq Forest Camp PMFST,” at the Bateq Forest Camp PMFST, Pos Changkung, Kg. Keniam, Taman Negara Pahang, taking place from November 10 to 12, 2023. This program is a collective effort to make a positive contribution to the Bateq community in the area.
In the execution of this CSR program, various holistic and integrated activities have been planned and carried out by FST and YFBM. One of the key initiatives is the provision of food supplies to the Bateq community, aiming to alleviate their living conditions. Additionally, there are teaching sessions covering subjects such as Malay, English, and Mathematics, with the goal of enhancing the educational standards among the residents.
The program also emphasizes health and hygiene aspects through cleanliness care classes and the production of lip balm. This aims to raise awareness and knowledge among the Bateq community regarding good health practices. Furthermore, microbiology classes are conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of microorganisms that influence daily life.
These initiatives align with the goals of sustainable development, especially SDG1 (No Poverty) and SDG4 (Quality Education). They reflect FST’s commitment to achieving sustainable development among communities in need of assistance.
FST's Natural History Museum Seminar Programme 2023
On October 11, 2023, Natural History Museum, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), UKM successfully organised the FST 2023 Natural History Museum Seminar, with the theme “The Role of Museums in Preserving the Natural Heritage of the Country,” held in the Conference Hall of FST. This program was led by Associate Professor Dr. Farah Shafawati Mohd Taib, who is the head of the FST Natural History Museum, along with members of the MSA (Museum of Natural History) consisting of 6 repository units, including the Zoological Museum, Geological Museum, Herbarium, Insect Repository, Seed Bank Unit, and Culture Collection Unit.
The program aimed to gather interested agencies and institutes that possess natural history repository collections to enhance the sharing of information related to natural history collections. The keynote address for this seminar was delivered by the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, Ms. Norsham Abdul Latip. Plenary agencies involved in the seminar included the Department of Minerals and Geosciences (JMG), the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), the Department of Museums Malaysia (JMM), and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN). The seminar was expected to foster cooperation in the management and research of national-level natural history collections. This program marked the first time it was organized by MSA FST and aimed to raise the profile of MSA at the national level. Through these efforts, the program supported the goal of sustainable development SDG17 (Partnership for the Goals).
Furthermore, the preservation of these natural history collections is crucial for the conservation of natural resources, particularly biodiversity and geodiversity, which aligns with the sustainable development goal SDG15 (Life on Land).
Nuri Nutrisi Garden Launch Event
October 4, 2023 – This program is an initiative by the Bangi Botanical Garden, Faculty of Science and Technology in collaboration with Bank Rakyat, aimed at assisting students from B40 families in generating their own income. Engaged students have been provided with training and guidance on nutritious vegetable cultivation through sustainable methods, which is a lifelong knowledge. The sustainability of this program will be achieved through the continuous transfer of knowledge to students.
The event was inaugurated by Mr. Nizam Sani, Chief Marketing and Communication Officer of Bank Rakyat, and witnessed by Professor Dr. Mohd Firdaus Mohd Raih, Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Associate Professor Dr. Noraini Talip, Head of Bangi Botanical Garden, also serving as the Head of the Nuri Nutrient Garden Program, Ms. Airul Asmiza Khaeruddin, Director of the Agricultural Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture Malaysia, as well as the senior management of Bank Rakyat and the Faculty of Science and Technology at UKM.
Installation of Pipeline Wells at Kota Bharu Polytechnic
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Takaful Ikhlas General Berhad, Dato’ Rudy Rodzila Che Lamin, inaugurated the Opening and Handover Ceremony of the Pipeline Wells at Kota Bharu Polytechnic, Kelantan. This program is a collaborative effort between UKM, Takaful Ikhlas General Berhad, and Kota Bharu Polytechnic.
In his address, he expressed that the collaboration between UKM through the Chancellor Foundation, the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), and Takaful Ikhlas General Berhad should continue through skills and expertise to contribute to the community through community programs.
As a result of this collaboration, Kota Bharu Polytechnic benefits from the use of clean water resources for its students and the surrounding residents.
A technology-sharing session on pipeline wells was also presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Hariri Arifin, Deputy Dean of Industry and Community Network Affairs at FST, regarding the findings of this research, aiming to expand its reach throughout Kelantan state and Malaysia in general.
Also present were Prof. Ts. Dr. Faizal Mohamed, Director of the Chancellor Foundation at UKM, Gs. Sr Haji Mohd Fikri Ismail, Director of Kota Bharu Polytechnic, Haji Kamaruddan Abdullah, Deputy Director-General (Operations) at the Department of Minerals and Geosciences Malaysia, and students from Kota Bharu Polytechnic.”
Media coverage
Merdeka 66 Community Expedition Program
18th to 20th August 2023 – Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at the National University of Malaysia (UKM), in collaboration with the Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia (YFBM), successfully organized the ‘Merdeka 66 Community Expedition Program’ at Royal Belum, Gerik, Perak. The program was led by the Honorable Prof. ChM. Dr. Ishak Ahmad from the Faculty of Science & Technology at UKM and Mr. Johan bin Halid from the Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia.
The aim of this program was to assist and provide dry food aid to the indigenous community. Activities organized by FST and YFBM included distributing dry food supplies weighing 5.7 tons and stationery to 250 indigenous families of the Jahai tribe residing in the villages of Sungai Tiang, Sungai Klewang, Sungai Kejar, and Sungai Tan Hain. To commemorate the month of independence, the handing over session also included singing patriotic songs to ignite patriotic spirit.
Additionally, Centre for Modelling and Data Analysis (DELTA) agreed to collaborate with YFBM in analyzing data from the food bank community to support the sustainable development goals of SDG1 (No Poverty) & SDG2 (Zero Hunger).
Orang Asli Village CSR
Faculty of Science and Technology Student Association has successfully organised the “Orang Asli Village CSR with Food Bank Malaysia Foundation” program at Pos Yum, Sungai Siput, Perak on 9-11 July 2023.
This program was created as a result of PMFST’s collaboration with UKM’s FST Laboratory and Instrumentation Secretariat with the joint venture of the Malaysian Civil Defense Department, Food Bank Malaysia Foundation and Dana Kita.
FST personnels involved had the opportunity to get to know and be kind to the Temiar tribe’s indigenous community there. Various activities were carried out throughout the program including advocacy of infectious diseases as well as advocacy of menstrual poverty which received attention and encouraging response from the indigenous community in the village. A million thanks go to all parties involved in making this program a success, especially the solid support from the FST management.
Building an Eco-Friendly Prototype
January 30, 2023 – With the aim of promoting the development of environmentally friendly packaging materials, Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad (KPS Berhad) launched the KPS #Ekovative Challenge last year. Recently, the KPS #Ekovative Challenge 2022 Grand Finale was held at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam, Selangor. It featured prototypes from the Top Five Finalist Teams.
The KPS #Ekovative Challenge 2022 was a competition among universities focusing on the development of environmentally friendly alternative materials as a sustainable solution for paper and plastic packaging. Therefore, the focus of the KPS #Ekovative Challenge 2022 was on Eco-Friendly and Innovative solutions.
Referring to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Climate Promise website, Malaysia has increased its direct mitigation targets to reduce carbon emissions compared to gross domestic product (GDP) by 45 percent by 2030, as outlined in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
However, with the increasing trend in the production and use of paper and plastic in Malaysia, limited resources, and rapid recorded increases in scheduled waste, it could pose a serious threat to the country’s and the world’s goal of reducing carbon emissions by 2030.
Therefore, a zero-waste approach is the solution to current environmental, economic, and social issues, including climate change, food security, and resource scarcity.
In line with this, the objective of the KPS #Ekovative Challenge 2022 was to find alternative ways to address the plastic and paper packaging issue that would contribute to the goal of zero waste pollution.
This competition was open to all public and private universities in Malaysia. Teams participating were required to create innovative solutions or eco-friendly prototypes using alternative materials for paper and plastic packaging. A total of 25 teams participated in this competition, and 20 teams were shortlisted for the implementation phase of the solution or prototype.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) with their ‘Innovative Biopolymer’ project was named the champion of the competition, taking home a cash prize of RM10,000, along with a trophy, medal, and certificate.
Adapted from an article written by Harian Metro
Media coverage
CEO Day @ UKM
The CEO Day @ UKM program jointly organized by the UKM Faculty of Science and Technology and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) was officiated by Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, Member of the MPOC Board of Trustees, who is also the Director General of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
The one-day event was held at Chancellor Tun Abdul Razak’s Hall and was attended by more than 1,000 participants, mostly higher education students from UKM and other universities, Polytechnic Malaysia, as well as primary and secondary school students around Bangi.
True to its name, CEO Day provides a space for industry leaders to share their vast knowledge as well as inspire university students in pursuit of their chosen careers. Simultaneously with this event, exhibitions by 27 companies offering training and employment, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations, also held exhibitions to showcase their products and services.
Also present, Prof. Dr. Norhamidi Muhamad, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Generation & Infrastructure) and Ms. Belvinder Kaur Sron, Acting Chief Executive Officer & Director of Promotion and Corporate Communications of MPOC.
Media coverage
"IT'S TIME FOR OUR RIVER" CSR PROGRAMME
The “It’s Time For Our River” CSR programme was held on 26 June 2022 at 8.30 am at the Friends of Langat River (FOLR) Recreation Site, UKM. This program has been sponsored by the Etika Company Group in collaboration with FST and FOLR.
The programme was attended by Dato Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang, Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and President of Friends of River Malaysia (FORM), Prof Dato’ Ir. Ts. Dr. Othman A. Karim, Deputy President of FORM, Prof. ChM. Dr Ishak Ahmad, Dean of UKM’s Faculty of Science and Technology and officiated by Mr Santharuban Thurai Sundaram, Chief Executive Officer of the Ethical Company Group and Mr Nazurudeen Meerah Ghany, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Sustainability ambassador of the Etiqa Company Group.
A total of 300 participants consisting of FST students and staff, UKM eco-volunteers, Etiqa Company Group staff, FOLR Association, Indah Water Konsortium and CAVAdventures Association jointly carried out cooperative activities around the FOLR recreation area.
In addition, exhibitions were also held involving Centre for Insect Systematics (CIS), FOLR, Fun with Microbes and AiRBORNE Sense which uses drones to detect water pollution. Efforts to promote the research products of FST lecturers through mass media channels have been carried out on our website. Webinars and VLOG competitions have also been conducted and received favorable response. It is hoped that this program can foster public awareness and understanding of how important it is to care for and preserve the environment for the sake of future generations.
Media coverage
"OCEAN CLEAN-UP" CSR PROGRAMME
The “Ocean Clean-Up” community program, organized by the Selangor State Government and the Marine Ecosystem Research Center (EKOMAR), Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), UKM in collaboration with the Selangor Fisheries Department, was held on 29-31 May 2022 (in Pulau Redang, Terengganu) , 22-24 July 2022 (in Pulau Tenggol, Terengganu) and 1-3 September 2022 (in Pulau Tioman, Pahang).
Participation of this programme is limited to 30 participants. They consisted UKM’s divers, Selangor State Government’s divers, media participants, Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) participants and Malaysian Fisheries Department.
The community program was led by Mr. Mohd Shahrim Senik (Senior Science Officer, FST) and attended by Y.B. Tuan Haji Izham Hashim (Infrastructure and Agriculture Exco, Selangor State Government) as a representative of the Selangor State Government and YBhg Prof. ChM. Dr. Ishak Ahmad (Dean of FST) and YBhg. Prof. Dr. Zaidi Che Cob (Head of Marine Ecosystem Research Center (EKOMAR)).
The goal of this programme is to perform coral reef cleaning activities to remove Crown of Thorns (COTs) and marine litter, particularly ghost nets. In addition, our programme also conducts research on the effectiveness of using chemicals to eliminate COT thrush via research experiment performed at EKOMAR and hopefully publishes scientific papers.
Our initiative has contributed to the preservation and conservation of the coral reef environment from COT, which can harm corals. EKOMAR and FST genuinely hope that similar efforts will continue to preserve and conserve coral reefs.
Media coverage
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