Turning waste into hope
THE act of healing can take many forms – for Kughanya Kumaran, it means conserving the earth.
'I want to lead sustainable ventures that not only generate profit but also heal communities, protect nature and uplift people,' the aspiring green entrepreneur and changemaker told StarEdu.
The 23-year-old Penangite has already taken action to pursue her vision.
She recently came up with an idea to redefine waste management and organic agriculture.
'I developed a green-tech solution that transforms toxic waste into an organic fertiliser, called Nutriloop, with the potential to restore both the earth and public health,' she said.
Armed with this idea, the mass communication student at INTI International College Penang flew to the United Kingdom to take part in Flare 2025, an enterprise ideas challenge hosted by the University of Hertfordshire.
Competing against nine other finalists from India, Sri Lanka, the UK, the United States, Switzerland, Afghanistan and Africa, Kughanya – the only Malaysian representative – emerged as the overall champion at the event held on May 21.
Reflecting on her successful outing, Kughanya said she competed not only as a student but also as a voice for change.
'I felt very proud of myself – that was the gift for three months of sleepless nights,' she said.
'What made it truly unforgettable was the moment the judges not only listened to my pitch, but also smelled, touched and tested my product with their own hands. They also expressed interest in purchasing my 100% organic fertiliser.
'That kind of validation – from international professionals and everyday people alike – means more than any award. It confirmed that what I've created is not just a concept, but also a real, working solution that people believe in. That emotional and practical impact is what I consider my most meaningful achievement to date,' she added.
She shared that the idea for her innovation was inspired by her research showing that Malaysia could face severe environmental and public health crises due to harmful waste disposal and synthetic chemical use within the next five years.
Looking ahead, Kughanya said her next steps include joining more international innovation competitions and environmental pitch platforms to elevate Nutriloop's impact.
'But beyond competitions, I'll be focusing on advancing the research behind my product. There are still essential lab tests, scientific validations and national product registrations to be completed.
'If everything progresses smoothly beyond the business proposal stage, there is definitely a vision to turn this idea into a real business – one led by me, a young woman determined to create change. One day, I hope to proudly call myself the founder and lady boss of a Malaysian-born green-tech brand that heals the planet,' she said.
Kughanya encouraged students to 'make improvements for the future'.
'Let's be the generation that turns waste into wealth, pain into purpose, and ideas into green revolutions.
'Start from the heart. Don't chase awards – chase impact. Find a real problem that hurts you, then build something that heals others. Don't be afraid if you're the first to speak out. Be bold. Talk to real people. Validate your ideas. Fail, learn and grow,' she said.
Lara, 19, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
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