Engineering for Community: Solar and Aquaponics Knowledge Transfer at Kg. Darau

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Published: 10 Feb 2026

KOTA KINABALU, 2 February 2026 – The Faculty of Engineering (FKJ), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), in collaboration with the local community and under the supervision of the Pusat Kelestarian Libatsama Masyarakat UMS, successfully conducted a Solar and Aquaponics Knowledge Transfer Programme at Kampung Darau. The initiative aimed to equip the community with practical knowledge and skills in renewable energy, aquaponics and sustainable food production. The programme began with an introductory session on solar energy conducted by Ir. Dr. Mohd Azlan Ismail, followed by an introduction to aquaponics by Ts. Dr. Fam Yan Yan, Dr. Siti Nurfadilah Jaini and Dr. Nazrein Adrian Amaludin, together with final-year Mechanical Engineering student Noor Dian Eka Wahyu Binti Mohamad. Participants were subsequently involved in practical activities covering the installation of solar components and the integration of hydroponic and aquaculture systems.

Through these activities, the community gained hands-on experience in operating, maintaining and monitoring the integrated system, including the use of an online monitoring platform. The programme also introduced participants to vegetable cultivation and freshwater fish farming through aquaponics, as well as the installation and management of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems. These skills provide opportunities for the community to explore sustainable food production and renewable energy applications that may contribute to future income-generating activities. The programme also provided valuable experiential learning for final-year student Noor Dian Eka Wahyu, who was directly involved in the design, fabrication and operation of the system. Her involvement strengthened her technical competency, confidence and communication skills through direct engagement with the community. Special appreciation was also extended to Dr. Chung Seng Kheau for sharing his expertise in hydroponics.

The initiative supports SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. Through the integration of engineering knowledge, community engagement and student learning, FKJ continues to translate academic expertise into practical solutions with meaningful impact for communities in Sabah.

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Key SDGs Supported
  • SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • SDG 4: Quality Education
  • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.