Iskandar Puteri, January 13, 2024— The Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) successfully conducted a program titled “Pemindahan Ilmu Pertanian Pintar dan Organik” in collaboration with Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP), Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB), Yayasan Penyayang Iskandar Puteri (YPIP), Iskandar Puteri Agriculturalist Community (IPAC) and Kelab Komuniti Pertanian Iskandar Puteri (KKPIP).

The following program was organized by Year 2 students of Bachelor of Science (Biology) at UTM as part of their Basic Genetics Academic Service Learning (ASL) assessment. They were guided by Dr. Azman Abd Samad and Dr. Raihana Ridzuan. The program aims to provide students with hands-on learning experiences to strengthen their identity. Additionally, the program intends to raise awareness about the importance of organic agriculture in contributing to the socio-economic development of society. The program also offers students the chance to develop their soft skills by participating in community care and identifying and solving problems related to organic farming.

Mr. Shahril Izwan Abdullah, the main representative for MBIP, officially launched our initiative on the day of the event. The program featured outdoor and indoor activities, educating the community about organic farming, pesticide management, and smart farming practices. In the initial phase, a practical activity unfolded at Edible Park, Iskandar Puteri, providing the community with the opportunity to actively engage in transplanting eggplant seedlings, which were prepared through collaborative efforts by the students and IPAC.

In the second phase of the program, an indoor activity was conducted. Three Common Ground Iskandar Space student speakers in Medini 6 led a sharing session. The sharing session focused on three main topics: ‘Organic Farming’, ‘Pest Management using Refugia’, and ‘Smart Farming IoT’.

Following the presentation of appreciation certificates to all of the representatives from the participating organizations, the event concluded with a photography session. This collaboration with exceptional individuals significantly contributed to the program’s success, demonstrating the faculty’s dedication to preparing students for the corporate world and promoting community engagement. Future programs such as this will be conducted to provide further exposure opportunities for UTM students.

Source: UTM NewsHub