The Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition (FSMP) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) organized Food Fest 2024 at the faculty grounds, bringing together undergraduate students, industry leaders, and government agencies. Officiated by UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, the event aimed to bridge academic research with industrial application while bolstering national food security. The festival showcased student-led food innovations, fostering crucial industry-university collaboration and practical entrepreneurial learning.
Food Fest 2024 was established to reinforce strong university-industry synergies aimed at driving R&D and enhancing product competitiveness across the local food sector. Organised directly by FSMP in close collaboration with major government agencies and corporate leaders—including Ko-Nelayan, the Ministry of Health (KKM), Korporasi Pembangunan Desa (KPD), ADABI, and BTC—the festival provided a platform to integrate academic technical expertise with commercial resources. This strategic initiative directly aligns with UMS's core commitment to accelerating the development of sustainable, market-ready food products and safeguarding national food security.
Driven and executed by undergraduate students across all FSMP programs, the festival featured product development competitions, student sales booths, industry exhibitions, interactive cooking demonstrations, and a traditional dessert market (tamu dessert). The event served as a crucial experiential learning platform, developing students' leadership and practical skills. "It is the university's priority to ensure close ties with the industrial sector to support our agenda of increasing food security through R&D and high-impact innovation," said Prof. Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, Vice-Chancellor of UMS.
Going forward, Food Fest 2024 strengthens student employability and provides a scalable framework for sustainable product commercialization and multi-sectoral growth. This initiative directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by advancing sustainable food security solutions. Additionally, it promotes SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through hands-on student leadership experience, while advancing SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by creating strong cross-sectoral networks between academia, government bodies, and industry leaders.
Sabah Media: https://sabahmedia.com/2024/07/01/food-fest-inisiatif-ums-libat-industri-dalam-tingkatkan-produk-inovatif-makanan/