Curtin Malaysia empowers Miri students to tackle plastic waste and water sustainability

Miri, Sarawak – 19 November 2025 – Thirty bright young minds from SMK Chung Hua Miri and Kolej Vokasional Miri took on the challenge of transforming plastic waste into sustainable engineering solutions at Sustainapond, a hands-on knowledge transfer programme hosted by Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia).

Organised by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Student Chapter of Curtin Malaysia, the event aimed to raise awareness of plastic pollution and sustainable water management by combining creativity, environmental science, and engineering design.

Over the course of the programme, the students repurposed municipal solid waste into eco-filter-planters – innovative, low-cost systems that help purify pond water while reducing plastic waste and promoting greener practices in schools.

Facilitated by Associate Professor Ir. Bridgid Chin Lai Fui and Dr. Angnes Tiong Ngieng Tze from Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, Sustainapond featured interactive workshops and a design competition that encouraged the students to apply Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) principles to address real-world sustainability challenges.

“It was inspiring to see the participants apply engineering principles to address sustainability issues,” said Chong Siew Wen, President of the Curtin Malaysia IChemE Student Chapter. “Their enthusiasm for hands-on learning truly stood out.”

Francine Lee En Ying, Vice President and Organising Chairperson, added that the students’ designs showcased impressive ingenuity – from modular filtration systems made of coconut shells to solar-powered water pumps. “Their creativity proved that waste materials can indeed be turned into valuable resources,” she said.

The competition culminated in an impressive display of teamwork and innovation. KV Filter Freaks from Kolej Vokasional Miri claimed first place for their innovative filtration design, followed by Filtura from SMK Chung Hua Miri in second, and H₂O KV Miri in third for their creative use of coconut-based materials.

As advisor to the project, Associate Professor Ir. Chin praised the participants’ ability to translate theory into practical innovation. “These students have shown how classroom knowledge can be turned into tangible solutions that benefit communities,” she said.

Dr. Tiong, meanwhile, highlighted that Sustainapond exemplifies Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to community outreach and student-led impact. “The dedication of our IChemE Student Chapter in bringing STEM education beyond the classroom is truly commendable,” she added.

The IChemE Student Chapter at Curtin Malaysia plays a vital role in promoting chemical engineering excellence and industry engagement. Curtin Malaysia’s Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in Chemical Engineering is triple-accredited by Engineers Australia, the Board of Engineers Malaysia, and IChemE, ensuring students receive globally recognised, industry-relevant training in Sarawak’s energy hub.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Participants of the Sustainapond programme with Curtin Malaysia staff and student facilitators at the closing ceremony.