FKJ Empowers Kg Kiau Nuluh Community Through Composting Knowledge Transfer Programme

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Published: 1 Feb 2026

KOTA BELUD, 17 January 2026 – The Faculty of Engineering (FKJ), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), through MyKompos Lab (Advanced Composting and Waste Management), successfully conducted a knowledge transfer programme on composting as an income-generating resource for the community of Kg Kiau Nuluh, Kota Belud. The programme was implemented under the Community Empowerment Programme @ UniMADANI, Pusat Kelestarian Libatsama Masyarakat (PKLM), UMS. It was officiated on behalf of Prof. Dr. ChM. Ts. Coswald Stephen Sipaut @ Mohd Nasri, Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network), by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. Led by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser, the MyKompos Lab team comprised Pn. Azreen Ibrahim, Programme Chairperson, together with Dr. Mariani Rajin, Dr. Sariah Saalah, Dr. Ahmad Safwan Ismail, Dr. Nurhazwani Yusoff Azudin and Dr. Hardyianto Vai Baharun, with assistance from Cik Noor Aemi Dawalih. A total of 30 members of the Kg Kiau Nuluh community participated in the programme.

The programme aimed to empower the community with knowledge and practical skills in sustainable organic waste management through composting while creating opportunities to generate additional income through the marketing of compost and related downstream products. Dr. Mariani Rajin delivered a session on the fundamentals of composting, while Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser presented a session on pineapple waste composting using passive aeration. Prior to the programme, the Kg Kiau Nuluh community had developed a dedicated community composting site through funding of RM50,000 under the UniMADANI Community Empowerment Programme awarded to the project led by Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser. The community’s direct involvement in developing the facility demonstrated strong local commitment towards the long-term sustainability of the initiative.

The programme contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Through this initiative, FKJ continues to translate engineering expertise into practical solutions that support sustainable waste management, community empowerment and rural income generation.

Written by: Pn. Azreen Ibrahim

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Key SDGs Supported
  • SDG 4: Quality Education
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.