Curtin Malaysia students explore sustainable palm oil operations at SOP’s Lambir mill

Miri, Sarawak – 13 May 2026 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) students gained first-hand exposure to sustainable industrial practices and real-world business operations during an educational visit to the Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad (SOP) Lambir Palm Oil Mill recently.

The industrial visit involved 32 first-year students from Curtin Malaysia’s Department of Accounting and Finance and was designed to strengthen the students’ understanding of how sustainability, operational efficiency, and corporate responsibility are integrated within one of Malaysia’s key industries.

Led by Head of Department Dr. Dhanuskodi Rengasamy and lecturer Dr. Mohammad Belayet Hossain, the visit provided the students with an opportunity to connect classroom learning with practical industry applications in areas such as financial decision-making, business sustainability, waste management, and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Upon arrival at the SOP Academy in Lambir, the students attended a briefing by SOP’s public relations team, who introduced the company’s operations and highlighted the role of the Lambir mill within the palm oil production chain. A factory engineer then conducted an interactive presentation and live demonstration explaining the mill’s production processes and the commercial value of its products and by-products.

The students learned how crude palm oil is produced and how by-products such as palm kernel, fibre, shells, and empty fruit bunches (EFB) are repurposed as part of the mill’s zero-waste operational approach. The session drew strong interest from the students, particularly regarding the mill’s sustainability and waste management practices.

According to the engineer, biomass waste generated during production is reused as boiler fuel to generate steam and electricity for the mill’s operations, reducing waste while improving energy efficiency.

The visit also gave the students deeper insight into SOP’s sustainability initiatives and CSR practices, offering a practical perspective on concepts discussed in their academic modules. During a guided tour of the mill, they observed the full production cycle – from the weighing station and fruit unloading bay to the final crude palm oil extraction process.

Dr. Dhanuskodi said industrial exposure plays an important role in preparing students for future careers by helping them understand how theoretical concepts are applied in real business environments.

“Experiential learning opportunities such as this enable students to better appreciate the operational, environmental, and social dimensions of business sustainability,” he said.

The students described the visit as highly informative and engaging, noting that it enhanced their understanding of sustainability practices within the palm oil industry and provided valuable exposure to industrial operations beyond the classroom.

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Students and lecturers from Curtin Malaysia during their visit to SOP Academy in Lambir.

Students and lecturers from Curtin Malaysia during their visit to SOP Academy in Lambir.