UiTM Sarawak's microalgae cultivation R&D could be source of sustainable biofuel
KUCHING (July 1): Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak has presented its latest research and development (R&D) in microalgae cultivation and its potential as a renewable source for sustainable biofuel to the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability.
The initiative supports Sarawak's broader goals under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, particularly in advancing clean energy and a low-carbon economy, said Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
'Microalgae, a fast-growing and carbon-absorbing organism, has shown significant promise as a feedstock for biofuel due to its high lipid content, rapid biomass production, and minimal land use,' he said in a statement following a meeting here yesterday.
'UiTM Sarawak's project focuses on developing scalable cultivation systems and exploring integration with industrial CO2 emissions to enhance sustainability and efficiency.'
He welcomed the initiative and commended UiTM's proactive role in bio-based research led by UiTM Sarawak deputy rector of Research and Industry Networking Prof Dr Juferi Idris.
Dr Hazland expressed optimism that the project could contribute to Sarawak's green energy transition while creating new opportunities in the bioeconomy and environmental sectors.
The meeting agreed to strengthen collaboration between the ministry, UiTM, and industry stakeholders to further explore pilot projects, policy support, and commercial pathways for algae-based biofuel in Sarawak. biofuel Dr Hazland Abang Hipni lead microalgae cultivation UiTM Sarawak
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
18-07-2025
- Borneo Post
Rentap: English literacy vital for Sarawak to meet demands of globalised, tech-driven world
Rentap (third left) said SELC 2025 will involve internationally renowned speakers sharing valuable methodologies and global best practices. KUCHING (July 18): English literacy plays a pivotal role in strengthening Sarawak's human capital development and preparing the younger generation for the demands of an increasingly globalised and technology-driven world, said Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu. The Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development said Sarawak will require a highly skilled workforce especially in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in line with its Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, focusing on economic growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusivity. 'English is not just a language; it is a tool for access,' he said in a statement to promote the Sarawak English Literary Conference (SELC) 2025 on Sept 17-19. Rentap, who is an SELC 2025 advisor, said STEM must be accompanied by strong English literacy, beginning from early childhood. According to him, introducing synthetic phonics at an early age has proven effective in building strong language foundations that can later support science and technological learning. He said SELC 2025 will bring in internationally renowned speakers in phonics, education, and STEM — all of whom will share valuable methodologies and global best practices. 'With support from international experts from Jolly Learning and STEM Learning UK, we want our educators, not just in Sarawak but from across Malaysia and beyond, to benefit from this knowledge-sharing opportunity,' he said. Rentap also spoke on the strategic importance of investing in educators themselves, asserting that a strong education system depends not only on the curriculum but also on the capacity and commitment of its teachers. 'If we are to prepare our youth for tomorrow's challenges, from hydrogen energy to aerospace, from carbon management to artificial intelligence, then our teachers must be equipped with the tools and vision to guide them,' he said. He thanked the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development; Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development; Sarawak State Education Department; and Business Events Sarawak for supporting the event. With the introduction of free tertiary education in Sarawak from next year, he said the emphasis on literacy and technical knowledge is more crucial than ever. 'We want our youth to have every opportunity to succeed, not only here in Sarawak but on the global stage. If they are equipped with strong English skills and a foundation in science and technology, they can go anywhere,' added Rentap. SELC 2025 is designed as a strategic platform to support the Sarawak government's ongoing efforts to elevate English language proficiency across all levels of education, from early childhood to tertiary. It aspires to influence future educational policies and strategies, helping to position Sarawak as a knowledge-forward and future-ready state by 2030. For more information and registration details, visit or call Emierson on 082-555189 or email [email protected]. Gerald Rentap Jabu lead Sarawak English Literary Conference
The Sun
08-07-2025
- The Sun
Call to explore potential of temperate fruit farming
PETALING JAYA: As the government moves to impose the Sales and Service Tax (SST) on most imported fruits, questions are being raised about Malaysia's heavy reliance on foreign produce and whether the country should ramp up efforts to grow popular fruits like apples and oranges locally. While going fully self-sufficient may be unrealistic in the near term, agricultural experts believe Malaysia can make meaningful strides through technology-driven farming, particularly by cultivating select temperate fruits under controlled environments. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak Studies for Plantation and Agrotechnology head Prof Dr Abdul Rahman Salli said the SST move is a timely wake-up call for Malaysia to rethink its food security strategy by exploring the potential of growing more of what it imports. 'Yes, Malaysia should explore local cultivation of temperate fruits, especially in response to the SST on imports and the need for food self-sufficiency,' he said. 'Technological advances like indoor and controlled-environment farming make this feasible. However, rising temperatures in highland areas and the high resource demands of such systems pose challenges.' He cautioned that efforts to cultivate temperate fruits must not compromise the country's core food priorities. 'Malaysia must prioritise basic food production first. Temperate fruit farming should be pursued as a complementary niche effort, not at the expense of core food security goals.' Abdul Rahman said various pilot projects over the years have proven it is technically possible to grow non-native fruits such as strawberries, apples and berries in highland areas including Cameron Highlands, Kundasang and Ba'Kelalan. 'Research by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, universities and private farms supports this potential,' he said. 'But climate change is real – rising temperatures in these areas make controlled-environment farming more necessary, but also more costly.' To overcome Malaysia's tropical climate and soil conditions, he said farmers can turn to agrotechnology such as greenhouses, soilless systems, smart sensors and heat-tolerant rootstocks. 'These technologies help simulate temperate conditions and optimise resource use, but they require significant investment, technical know-how and ongoing support.' From a sustainability standpoint, Abdul Rahman said any future expansion must include energy-efficient systems, water-saving technologies and emission-reducing practices to ensure alignment with climate-smart agriculture principles. Sharing similar views, UiTM Jasin Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology dean Assoc Prof Dr Shamsiah Abdullah said innovations such as greenhouses, hydroponics and plant breeding could help Malaysia gradually build capacity to grow temperate crops. 'To introduce new fruit crops, methods such as controlled environments and plant breeding can help make this feasible,' she said. 'Of course, it depends on cost, market demand and sustainability. We may not replace all imports but we can aim to boost local production in certain areas. It's worth exploring, especially with the new SST.' On the scientific front, Shamsiah said breeding techniques and biotechnology are increasingly being explored to adapt fruits like grapes and strawberries to Malaysia's tropical conditions. She added that while large-scale breeding programmes for apples are not yet in place, interest in this area is growing among research institutions. 'Several approaches can support this adaptation, including rootstock selection, grafting, marker-assisted breeding, mutation breeding and tissue culture,' she said. 'These are actively discussed in research stations and universities focused on crop diversification.' However, she acknowledged that significant scientific and technical hurdles remain. 'Key challenges include climate suitability, pest and disease pressures, soil and water management and the high costs of controlled-environment systems.' Shamsiah stressed that to reduce its reliance on imported fruits, Malaysia must invest more in plant biotechnology research and the commercialisation of homegrown solutions. 'Food security isn't just about rice or basic staples. It also includes fruits and other horticultural crops. Investing in local R&D will help Malaysia become more resilient to global supply chain disruptions, price shocks and climate change.'
Borneo Post
01-07-2025
- Borneo Post
UiTM Sarawak's microalgae cultivation R&D could be source of sustainable biofuel
Dr Hazland (third left) is seen during the meeting with UiTM Sarawak researchers. KUCHING (July 1): Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak has presented its latest research and development (R&D) in microalgae cultivation and its potential as a renewable source for sustainable biofuel to the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability. The initiative supports Sarawak's broader goals under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, particularly in advancing clean energy and a low-carbon economy, said Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni. 'Microalgae, a fast-growing and carbon-absorbing organism, has shown significant promise as a feedstock for biofuel due to its high lipid content, rapid biomass production, and minimal land use,' he said in a statement following a meeting here yesterday. 'UiTM Sarawak's project focuses on developing scalable cultivation systems and exploring integration with industrial CO2 emissions to enhance sustainability and efficiency.' He welcomed the initiative and commended UiTM's proactive role in bio-based research led by UiTM Sarawak deputy rector of Research and Industry Networking Prof Dr Juferi Idris. Dr Hazland expressed optimism that the project could contribute to Sarawak's green energy transition while creating new opportunities in the bioeconomy and environmental sectors. The meeting agreed to strengthen collaboration between the ministry, UiTM, and industry stakeholders to further explore pilot projects, policy support, and commercial pathways for algae-based biofuel in Sarawak. biofuel Dr Hazland Abang Hipni lead microalgae cultivation UiTM Sarawak
