Environment Pillar
SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is in collaboration with Manjung Municipal Council (MPM) and Manjung District Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS Manjung) to establish a sustainable coastal environment in Teluk Nipah.
3 January 2023.
Initiated by UTP Institute of Self-sustainable Building (ISB) in 2019 and led by Ts Dr Teh Hee Min, the environmental project aims to improve the quality of the coastal environment and socio-economy status of the local community in Teluk Nipah through restoration of coastal environments by combating erosion problems, partnership with stakeholders and education through awareness programmes.
Teluk Nipah Beach and Coral Beach are the most visited recreational beaches in Pangkor Island. Nevertheless, the condition of these sandy beaches deteriorates remarkably since 2017, and the seriousness of the beach erosion has alarmed the local authorities and local communities. The erosion is principally attributed to the excessive wave forces and anthropogenic activities along the beaches.
UTP is extremely appreciative of the collaboration between MPM and JPS Manjung as well as Hello Pangkor, an NGO, for the joint efforts in upgrading the coastal environment and socio-economic status of Teluk Nipah.
UTP is continuously working closely with the local authorities by contributing products and services developed through research and innovation for the betterment of the local community.
In this regard, the university is responding to the local authorities and local communities’ concern in Manjung by working together with JPS Manjung in constructing a 50-metre rock revetment as a proactive solution to safeguard Coral Beach from further erosion.
The environmental project not only strengthened the university’s engagement with local authorities and community of Teluk Nipah, but also enabled the transfer of knowledge and skills to the stakeholders.
The project is part of UTP social responsibility's initiatives that focus on conserving the environment to build a sustainable society. It is also a means for the university to give back to the community.
To gauge the awareness level of the coastal problems in Teluk Nipah among the local community, UTP organised two community engagement sessions in August 2019 and January 2022.
The townhall sessions enabled communities of Teluk Nipah as well as Pangkor Island to share their concerns and pain points on coastal problems to the local authorities such as MPM, JPS Manjung and other local authorities.
UTP, MPM and JPS Manjung also held a series of awareness programmes like forums and webinars on coastal vulnerability and conservation in Teluk Nipah. During the programmes, Hello Pangkor also shared their aspiration and efforts in creating cleaner beaches in Pangkor Island.
Moving forward, UTP hopes to collaborate with other potential partners who would like to contribute to the Teluk Nipah coastal conservation programme.
UTP shares solar technology with local community
7 December 2022.
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) continuously contributes to the well-being of society through its social responsibility initiatives. The university aims to deliver sustainable impact, improving the quality of life and socio-economic outcomes for its surrounding communities.
Recently, UTP contributed a new mobile solar electricity generator (MSEG) to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Iskandar Perak, to replace the old unit donated in 2011. Developed by a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Dr Balbir Singh Mahinder Singh, the MSEG is designed in such a way where users can get a first-hand experience on utilising the electricity generated by harnessing solar energy.
The mobile generator also serves to create awareness on the use of solar energy as an alternative source of energy to SMK Seri Iskandar students, parents, teachers and other members of the surrounding community.
According to Dr Balbir, UTP Dean Centre for Graduate Studies, the solar powered electricity generator can provide up to 1.2kWp of electrical power with two high-capacity batteries to store the electrical energy for night use. A fully charged battery can supply as much as 4800Wh of energy. Meanwhile, the mobile generator energy sockets can be used to operate electrical appliances.
Bio-pesticide for Improvement of Paddy Field
This is a comparative study between commercial bio-pesticide and conventional at field trial at Rice of Excellent Centre, Titi Serong. Bio-based pesticide is proven to improve paddy growth and yield.
Project Partners: Elsevier & Agriculture Department, Perak Tengah District
Protection of Endangered Species
In 2013, the University engaged with FRIM to protect four endangered tree species namely Vatica flavida (resak padi), Shorea hemsleyana (cengal pasir daun besar), Shorea macrantha (kepong hantu) and Aquilaria malaccensis(karas) that have been touted as the country’s heritage.
Project Partner: Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM)
Owl Houses
This is a project led by UTP Design and Prototype Centre (DPC). It designed and fabricated owl houses for farmers in Kampung Aji and Kampung Padang Marhom, critical for rat control in the padi fields. Among the improvements made to the structure compared to the previous wooden ones included improved ventilation and durability.
Project Partner: Agriculture Department, Perak Tengah District
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