SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS
Environmental Sustainability and STEM Awareness (ESSA2024) Initiative at SK Kampung Senta Bidor: Inspiring Futures
On 1 July to 10 September 2024, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), through the Laboratory Management Department (LMG) and the Science, Technology and Engineering Laboratory Student’s Club (STELab), launched the Environmental Sustainability and STEM Awareness (ESSA2024) initiative at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Senta, Bidor, Perak. The programme also extended to activities at UTP’s campus in Seri Iskandar, strengthening the connection between the university and the local community.
A School Beyond Boundaries
SK Kampung Senta is more than a primary school — it is a beacon of innovation, resilience and lifelong learning. Over the years, it has earned recognition from leading universities such as UiTM and UPSI for its creative teaching approaches and strong involvement in community-based projects. Beyond educating its young students, the school runs the Sekolah Dewasa programme, providing adult Orang Asli residents with opportunities for lifelong learning. This reflects its deep commitment to education, inclusivity and empowerment for all.
Led by its proactive headmaster, Encik Eimiza Qamal bin Azmi, the school has grown into a hub of achievement, inspiring its students and community alike. ESSA2024 is a continuation of this spirit — designed to benefit both students and the surrounding Orang Asli community.
Inspiring STEM Enthusiasm
While SK Kampung Senta has achieved much, it faces a challenge: limited awareness and understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) within the Orang Asli community. ESSA2024 aims to bridge this gap by sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM through interactive and hands-on activities. The initiative opens doors for students and their families to explore how STEM can transform lives and create opportunities for the future.
A Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
The school’s resilience was tested in 2018 when a lightning strike caused a fire, damaging its buildings. Classes had been conducted in temporary container units while awaiting the completion of permanent structures. Recognising this challenge, ESSA2024 integrates sustainability into education by installing solar-powered lighting in the school compound. This initiative not only improves the learning environment but also offers students a real-life demonstration of renewable energy solutions, embedding values of environmental stewardship at an early age.
Strong Collaborations for Greater Impact
ESSA2024 is driven by LMG’s technical expertise and guided by Ts. Dr. Noridah Osman, in close collaboration with STELab. The programme also brings together key partners including the Perak Forestry Department, Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (SISC/TVET) Batang Padang, Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Perak and Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli Daerah Batang Padang. This multi-stakeholder collaboration ensures that the initiative not only enriches classroom learning but also empowers the broader community through knowledge-sharing and skills development.
Building on Past Research
ESSA2024 builds upon past research and innovations from UTP, including the Mini Portable Solar Still (MPSS) project led by AP Dr. Balbir Singh Mahinder Singh on natural dye and activated carbon from Theobroma Cacao for dye-sensitised solar cells conducted by UTP researchers and collaborators. These research foundations strengthen the scientific and practical approach of the initiative, demonstrating how academic expertise can be translated into real-world community impact.
Inspiring Futures Through ESSA2024
The ultimate goal of ESSA2024 is to enhance the knowledge and awareness of Orang Asli students in environmental sustainability and STEM through engaging and customised activities. At the same time, the integration of solar-powered infrastructure serves as both a functional improvement for the school and a tangible showcase of sustainable energy practices.
By combining education, sustainability and innovation, ESSA2024 reflects UTP’s commitment to empowering communities, inspiring the younger generation and building a brighter, more sustainable future.
Project leader : Imtias Amir Bahauddin (imtias@utp.edu.my)
