Green STEM: Organic Cultivation, Biodiversity and Herbarium.
JOHOR BAHRU, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia – The Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), successfully participated in the Johor Bahru District SR STEMFest Programme held at Sri Rahmat Secondary School (SMK Sri Rahmat) on 13th May 2026. The participation was led by Dr. Raihana Ridzuan through an interactive exhibition themed “Green STEM: Organic Cultivation, Biodiversity and Herbarium.”
The participation of the Department of Biosciences aimed to introduce school students to STEM applications in the fields of biosciences, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity conservation. Through the Green STEM concept, visitors were exposed to the importance of organic cultivation, biological diversity, and the role of herbarium collections as scientific reference resources for plant species documentation.
Among the main attractions of the exhibition were demonstrations on organic cultivation, introductions to local biodiversity, herbarium specimens, and interactive activities that enabled students to understand the relationship between science, the environment, and ecosystem sustainability. The exhibition also provided students with exposure to educational and career opportunities in biosciences, agrotechnology, and environmental research.
The STEMFest programme served as an important platform for strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education among school students through the active involvement of higher education institutions, skills agencies, and industry partners. The programme was officially launched by Mr. Adnan Shamsudin, who emphasized the importance of STEM competencies in developing a capable and future-ready younger generation.
Also present to show support was Ms. Shakira Irfah Abdullah, Principal of SMK Sri Rahmat, who visited the exhibition booths and interacted with the exhibitors. The participation of the Department of Biosciences in this programme reflects the university’s commitment to strengthening community educational engagement and fostering students’ interest in biosciences, environmental sustainability, and green innovation.
