Curtin Malaysia inspires young innovators through hands-on renewable energy workshop

Miri, Sarawak – 15 October 2026 – Vocational students from Kolej Vokasional (KV) Miri recently explored the science and engineering behind renewable energy through a hands-on Energy Converter Workshop organised by Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), encouraging young learners to discover how engineering can help address real-world energy challenges.

Held at the Curtin Malaysia campus, the workshop brought together 41 students and four teachers for a day of interactive learning, creative problem-solving and sustainable innovation. They explored energy conversion technologies and investigated how engineering design can influence the performance of renewable energy systems.

Funded by the Curtin Malaysia Community Engagement (CMCE) Fund 2026, the initiative was led by Dr. Angnes Tiong Ngieng Tze, Professor Bridgid Chin Lai Fui and Dr. Siaw Teck Ung from the Faculty of Engineering and Science, together with Delon Chai Wei How from the School of Pre-U and Continuing Education (SPACE).

Titled “Bridging Academia and Community: Experiential Learning for Engineering Students in Energy Sustainability and Renewable Innovation”, the project aimed to strengthen university-community partnerships, promote environmental sustainability and encourage greater interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The workshop was developed through a community-centred, co-creation approach that involved Curtin Malaysia students in designing and delivering activities tailored to the needs of KV Miri.

Before the workshop, the project team and student partners visited KV Miri to consult teachers and students, identify energy-related challenges and better understand the school’s learning needs. Guided by the academic team, the Curtin students then developed practical activities that connected engineering concepts with real-world applications.

During the workshop, the KV Miri students worked in teams to design, test and evaluate energy conversion solutions, applying scientific and engineering principles in an interactive learning environment. A key focus was wind energy conversion, where the participants explored how wind turbine blade design affects the generation of electrical energy.

Dr. Siaw Teck Ung from the Faculty of Engineering and Science said the workshop introduced the participants to important engineering considerations in converting wind energy into electricity.

“The students were guided to design and evaluate rotating wind turbine blades, with particular attention to blade shape, geometry and material selection. They then compared different design configurations and assessed their performance through hands-on testing.

“This approach demonstrates that renewable energy engineering involves more than understanding the underlying science. It also requires informed design decisions and the use of experimental results to improve system performance,” he said.

Beyond introducing younger learners to renewable energy, the initiative provided the Curtin Malaysia students with valuable opportunities to apply their academic knowledge, develop leadership skills and contribute to the wider community.

Student volunteers from the IChemE Curtin Malaysia Student Chapter played an active role in planning and facilitating the workshop. Led by the chapter’s Vice President, Austin Jason Pui, the team worked alongside academic mentors to translate engineering concepts into accessible, engaging learning activities.

Dr. Angnes Tiong, speaking on behalf of the project team, highlighted the value of collaboration between universities and local educational institutions.

“This project demonstrates how partnerships between universities and local schools can promote awareness of sustainable energy solutions. Through interactive learning, we hope to inspire greater understanding of renewable energy while strengthening connections between the university and the wider community,” she said.

Professor Bridgid Chin Lai Fui, from the Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering and an advisor to the student chapter, said the project enabled Curtin Malaysia students to step beyond the classroom and develop their leadership, communication and mentoring capabilities through direct engagement with younger learners.

“By sharing their knowledge and facilitating hands-on learning experiences, our students not only reinforce their own learning but also inspire the next generation to explore STEM, engineering and sustainable innovation.

“More importantly, such student-led initiatives cultivate a culture of knowledge-sharing, leadership and community engagement, contributing to a stronger and more connected STEM ecosystem,” she said.

Austin Jason Pui, the workshop’s organising chairperson and Vice President of the IChemE Curtin Malaysia Student Chapter, said the experience reinforced the importance of adaptable leadership and effective science communication in making engineering concepts accessible to younger students.

“Seeing the KV Miri students actively engage in the technical pitching and design process was incredibly rewarding. I am grateful to my dedicated team from the IChemE Curtin Malaysia Student Chapter for their meticulous planning and execution, as well as to our workshop facilitator for the enthusiasm and expert guidance that helped inspire the participants,” he said.

The Energy Converter Workshop reflects Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to meaningful community engagement, environmental sustainability and collaboration with educational institutions. By connecting classroom learning with practical challenges, the initiative created opportunities for vocational students to explore renewable energy while enabling university students to contribute their knowledge and skills to the community.

The project team also expressed its appreciation to Curtin Malaysia’s Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) for funding the initiative through the CMCE Fund 2026. The support enabled collaboration between Curtin Malaysia and KV Miri, providing valuable experiential learning opportunities for both university and vocational students.

Curtin Malaysia offers Curtin University’s four-year Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in Chemical Engineering, which is accredited by Engineers Australia, the Board of Engineers Malaysia and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). The programme benefits from extensive industry support and collaboration. Located in Miri, an oil and gas hub and near the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), Curtin Malaysia also provides students with opportunities for industry exposure and practical learning.

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

KV Miri students take part in a hands-on energy conversion activity.

Dr Angnes Tiong (third left) presents a token of appreciation to KV Miri, witnessed by Professor Bridgid Chin (left), Dr Siaw Teck Ung (second left) and teachers.

Participants, facilitators and organisers at the Energy Converter Workshop.