UMP-MOHE Outreach Programme for single mothers with Pineapple Mushroom Innovation

KUANTAN, 30 October 2022 - The Pineapple Mushroom Innovation Project introduced by Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) lecturer, Associate Professor Dr. Aizi Nor Mazila Ramli, who is the Deputy Director, Research Management Centre, Research and Innovation Department, was able to transfer the pineapple mushroom cultivation technology using pineapple waste to the target community.

The programme provided mushroom cultivation training to single mothers and asnaf families at Rumah Anak Yatim dan Miskin Nur lman, Kempadang, Kuantan which could help increase their family income by selling this crop.

According to the Division Secretary, Policy Planning and Research Division, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Dr. Wan Baharudin Wan Mahmood, this programme is a university platform to approach the community and share expertise.

“If previously, knowledge, skills and research results only circulate within the university, this programme provides an opportunity for university researchers to share their research results or skills with the community.

“In fact, it can indirectly improve the economy of local communities and the country also needs expertise in the field of science and technology.

“The organisation of this STEM programme also aims to attract students to participate and choose this field,” he said, while meeting participants and residents of the house.  

He explained that there was a decrease in students choosing STEM fields this year.

“Abroad, we can see the research outcome mostly in the fields of science, technology and engineering.

“Hence, if the STEM fields are not strengthened, we will lose researchers who will help the national economy.

“I believe MOHE always ensures that this programme can be carried out and benefits the community,” he said.
The founder of Rumah Kebajikan Anak Yatim dan Miskin Nur Iman, Ustaz Badrul Huzaini Mohd Yusof expressed his gratitude for UMP and MOHE.

He hoped the project could be implemented here and become one of the income sources for families that always get aid in this house.

“Hopefully this skill can allow them to try this innovation and increase their income,” he said.

One of the programme participants, Rosilawati Ismail, 45, who is a single mother living in Kampung Chempaka, considered this project a godsend.

According to her, she had long wanted to learn mushroom cultivation techniques but was not sure how to get started.

Also present were representatives from the Planning and Policy Research Division, MOHE, Deputy Division Secretary, Normalia Ibrahim, Chief Assistant Secretary, Norhayati Ali@Nasir and Senior Secretary Assistant, Mohd Afiq Zainal Azmi.

Also present were Senior Manager of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Abd. Rahman Haji Safie, Dr. Noorazaliza Sulaiman and Dr. Mohd Amir Shahlan Mohd Aspar from the Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technology (FTKEE).

More than 150 participants enlivened the UMP-MOHE Outreach Programme in conjunction with Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia at Rumah Kebajikan Anak Yatim Dan Miskin Nur Iman.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology