Research and Innovation

UMP researchers invented stingless bee honey suction pump for more quality produce

A group of researchers from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) has developed a product called ‘Sleek Pump’ to make it easier for stingless bee farmers to extract honey without compromising the quality.

The group was led by Dr. Mohamad Firdaus Basrawi, 34, who is also a lecturer at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing (FKMP) while the rest of the members were Dr. Daing Mohamad Nafiz Daing Idris, Dr. Mohd Hazwan Yusof, Dr. Mohd Yusof Taib, Abdullah Inrahim Mahmoud Al Anati, Luqman Abdul Halim and Siti Sarah Shaikh Mohd Raziff.

Dr. Mohamad Firdaus said the project began in 2016 and was fully completed in 2018, following a request from the Pahang Stingless Bee Honey Entrepreneurs Association (PUKP).

He said Malaysia had more than 4,000 stingless bee honey farmers and in Pahang alone, there were 110 farmers who were registered with PUKP.

Their monthly production was estimated at 1,400 kg, he added.

“The association had sought help for an easy and cheap method to extract the honey which gave us the idea for this suction pump.

“Prior to this, various methods had been used which included using of the straw, syringe and even a pump. However, these methods resulted in honey produced of less quality, bubbling while the suction flow was slow,” he added.

He said the ‘Sleek Pump’ created was a battery-powered tool and easy to carry.

He also said if a rubber tapper would require a good knife to get quality latex, a stingless bee honey farmer would need a good suction tool to extract quality honey.

At the initial stage, the tool was used and tested by 30 farmers who were members of PUKP and feedback from them were collected to gauge the effectiveness of the suction pump, he added.

“Based on their response, they said it was much faster to use the suction pump as compared to other devices and that the battery lasted longer. 

“There was less bubbling. Most of the consumers did not like honey with too much bubbling, and at times, it could cause the bottles to crack.

“With the ‘Sleek Pump’, suction can be made straight from the bee nests into bottles and it does not need between one week and a month for the bubbling to set in. The system is powered by batteries that can last up to four hours,” he said.

He added that the compact-designed pumps would be in the market soon and the price was set between RM500 and RM600.

“The suction pump works faster and the honey produced in bubbling-free,” said Dr. Mohamad Firdaus.

MyGift

40 UMP students enjoyed the open air iftar at MPK field

Forty Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) students enjoyed a casual, open air iftar at the Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK) field 2 in Kuantan on May 16, 2019.

It was their first time having a breaking of fast at the field, which was a popular spot among the locals during the month of Ramadan.

The MPK field 2 is located next to the mosque and it has become a gathering place for Muslims to have their iftar and a tradition for many of them.

The iftar programme was organised under UMP MyGift initiative and the students were recipients of the Scholarship Endowment Fund.

They were there together with UMP MyGift Squad. Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin and UMP MyGift Officer, Mohd. Jamil Mohd. Jaafar.

When met, Syamill Irhamie Shamsudin, 24, who is from Faculty of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (FKMP) said the outing was an opportunity for them to mingle and get acquainted.

“We can forge better ties and discuss about more programmes that can be organised for the benefits of the students.

“We also got to mingle with members of the public and distribute dates while at the same time, promote the university to them,” he said.

He added that breaking fast at an open field such as this and enjoying Pahang traditional delicacies was indeed a memorable one, a sweet experience that he would surely take along after graduation.

Another student Nur Syafiqah Omar said she was happy to be part of the programme as it allowed her to have an exchange of ideas and views about activities that they could do in the next semester.

“More programmes such as this should be organised and that it should not only be focused in the month of Ramadan. We want the public to know more about UMP,” she added.

Campus Info

Raya shopping spree for orphans and the less privileged organised by UMP

Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)’s Women Association or also known as Matahari organised an outing for the coming Aidilfitri celebration with orphans and the less privileged at Mydin Supermarket in Kuantan on May 30, 2019.

Its President, Professor Datin Dr. Mimi Sakinah Abdul Munaim said the programme was one of the activities outlined during the month of Ramadan and aimed at helping to reduce the burden of the children’s families.

“Matahari managed to collect a substantial amount of money from UMP staff and the public and each child received between RM120 and RM150 which would be used to buy new clothes.

“We brought the children and the families along so they could choose their own clothes. They were helped by 20 volunteers who are Matahari members,” she said.

Also present were Pro-Registrar, Abd Rahman Haji Safie and Datin Sri Fazia Ali.

Professor Datin Dr. Mimi Sakinah said Matahari also gave away essential needs such as rice, sugar, flour, drinks, Milo and raya cookies to 30 families, allocations provided under UMP MyGift, so they could make the necessary preparation for the festive season.

In another programme, Matahari jointly organised the Campus Pantry Raya Charity Sale with the Department of Student Affairs and Alumni (JHEPA) to give free clothes for its needy undergraduates.

She hoped that initiatives taken by the association would help bring cheers to them and that they could enjoy the special day.

She also thanked all the contributors and donors for helping to make the programme a success.

When met, Siti Aisyah Yusri, 15, said she and her three siblings received baju kurungs, shoes and long dresses and that they were very excited.

“We cannot wait to try on the new clothes for the hari raya celebration,” she added.

Fatin Nur Hazirah Mohd Wazir, who lost her father who was an employee with UMP, said she was thankful for the contributions.

She was touched that they still remember her although her father was no longer with the university and that she would wear the new clothes and pay respects to his father on the first day of hari raya.

MyGift

Year Six pupils thrilled to join UMP students for iftar in campus

It was an exciting experience for 41 Year Six pupils from Sekolah Kebangsaan Serandu in Pekan for they got to join their facilitators and Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) students for iftar in the university’s campus in Pekan on May 14, 2019. 

The pupils were participants of a programme called MyCilik Serandu, where they were given motivation and guidance in preparing for the public examination, Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR).

It was part of the activities outlined in the university’s Cahaya Ramadan programme organised under UMP’s MyGift initiative.

During iftar, the pupils ate their meals together with their facilitators and other undergraduates in big trays, a tradition that had been practiced by the university community in UMP Mosque.

Project Manager, Muhd Hariz Asyraf Marzuki said programme such as this was very helpful in preparing the pupils for the exam and they also got to spend some time with their facilitators during the Ramadan month.

“The iftar, served in big trays which has been the university’s tradition, will help to foster closer ties among them.

“You can see that they are enjoying the experience from the smiles on their faces as it is their first time eating from big trays,” he added.

One of the pupils, Muhammad Yaakob Jailani, said he was happy to be able to participate in the programme, experience the pleasant life in campus and broke fast with the facilitators, adding, it made him motivated to do his best and to step foot as an undergraduate in a university one day.

Campus Info

Infak Ramadan programme: #BPACare contributions bring joys to school children

In an effort to make the holy month of Ramadan more exceptional, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)’s Marketing and Student Admission Division (BPPP) feted 44 orphans and children of less privileged families from Sekolah Kebangsaan Serandu, Pekan during the Infak Ramadan and khatam of the al-Quran programmes that were held on May 24, 2019.

The children received contributions in cash and kinds which were presented by General Manager of Registrar Department, Abd. Hamid Majid and Manager of Academic Management Division (BPA), Zainuddin Mat Husin.

Zainuddin said the annual event was organised under #BPACare programme and that it started in 2017.

“The aim is to help reduce the burden of the less fortunate and make life more cheerful for them especially in the month of Ramadan. 

“It also helps to foster closer ties between UMP and the community established through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities that do good to the people especially those living in the area of Kuala Pahang,” he added.

He was thankful with the positive response from the UMP community as well as the public who had made contributions to this worthy cause.

“They showed their commitment to ensure that the activities run smoothly,” he added.

Sekolah Kebangsaan Serandu Headmistress, Salmiah Abdul Jalil said UMP’s involvement in providing various aids and assistance was something that they were hoping for because the school lacked certain facilities to cater to the pupils who included special-needs children.

She wished that collaboration such as this would continue with different kinds of CSR projects planned in the future.

Also present at the event was Sekolah Kebangsaan Serandu’s Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) President, Noor Azhar Abd. Rasid.