{"id":2614,"date":"2025-10-10T07:59:51","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T07:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/?p=2614"},"modified":"2025-10-10T10:03:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T10:03:23","slug":"smart-vermicompost-workshop-merging-sustainability-with-iot-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/2025\/10\/10\/smart-vermicompost-workshop-merging-sustainability-with-iot-innovation\/","title":{"rendered":"Smart Vermicompost Workshop: Merging Sustainability with IoT Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)<\/strong>, recently organized a Smart Vermicompost Workshop: Theory and Practical<\/strong> at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Pulai Perdana (SKSPP)<\/strong>, introducing participants to sustainable organic waste management enhanced by smart technology<\/p>\n

Led by Dr. Nor Azimah Mohd Zain<\/strong> and her research team \u2014 Dr. Zarita Zakaria, Dr. Siti Halimah Hasmoni, Dr. Nurliyana Ahmad Zawawi, Dr. Nurzila Ab. Latif, Dr. Nurashikin Ihsan, and Dr. Mohd Farizal Ahmad Kamaroddin<\/strong> \u2014 the workshop combined environmental education with technological empowerment, marking another successful step in UTM\u2019s effort to promote community-based sustainability and digital transformation.<\/p>\n

Integrating Science, Technology, and Community Learning<\/strong><\/p>\n

The workshop, attended by 10 participants from the Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG)<\/strong> of SKSPP, introduced the science and technology behind vermicomposting<\/strong>, a natural process using earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae<\/em>) to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich compost.<\/p>\n

Participants explored two core learning components:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Theoretical session<\/strong> on vermicomposting science, worm biology, and the role of organic waste recycling.<\/li>\n
  2. Hands-on session<\/strong> where participants built their own smart vermicompost box<\/strong> equipped with the EcoGold Smart Monitoring System<\/strong> \u2014 an Internet of Things (IoT)<\/strong> device designed to monitor temperature and moisture levels in real-time<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This practical integration of IoT with sustainability empowers participants to effectively manage waste while producing high-quality compost at home, aligning with UTM\u2019s mission to merge STEM education with environmental stewardship<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe wanted to show that sustainability can go hand in hand with innovation. By integrating IoT monitoring, participants can manage their compost scientifically and efficiently,\u201d said Dr. Nor Azimah<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Empowering Communities with Smart Sustainability Skills<\/strong><\/p>\n

    A pre- and post-survey was conducted to assess the workshop\u2019s impact. Results showed a significant improvement in participants\u2019 understanding of both vermicomposting<\/strong> and IoT applications<\/strong> in agriculture:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Before the workshop, most participants reported limited familiarity with composting science and digital monitoring.<\/li>\n
    • After the session, nearly 80% strongly agreed<\/strong> that they understood how smart devices like EcoGold<\/strong> could optimize the composting process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      This finding underscores the effectiveness of community-based learning programs that combine hands-on experimentation<\/strong> with technology-driven insights<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      \u201cBefore this, I didn\u2019t realize how sensors could help in composting. Now I understand how to maintain the best conditions for the worms,\u201d shared one participant from SKSPP\u2019s PIBG.<\/p>\n

      Sustainable Impact and Future Prospects<\/strong><\/p>\n

      The workshop\u2019s outcomes demonstrate that integrating IoT technology into environmental education can strengthen both scientific literacy<\/strong> and community engagement<\/strong>. By equipping participants with knowledge and tools for real-world application, the program encourages more sustainable waste practices at the household and community levels.<\/p>\n

      The initiative also contributes to UTM\u2019s broader goal of advancing the New Academia Learning Innovation (NALI)<\/strong> framework \u2014 combining STEM-based learning<\/strong>, community service<\/strong>, and digital innovation<\/strong> to produce impactful, sustainable outcomes.<\/p>\n

      The success of this workshop reflects growing interest in technology-assisted sustainability and opens avenues for future collaborations with schools, NGOs, and green enterprises across Malaysia.<\/p>\n

      Acknowledgement<\/strong><\/p>\n

      This initiative was supported by Dana Star Upgrade \u2013 KTP (CE\/2023\/00085)<\/strong> through the Centre for Community and Industry Network (CCIN), UTM<\/strong>, with valuable collaboration from Agri Season Sdn. Bhd.<\/strong> The organizing team extends their appreciation to the SKSPP administrators and PIBG<\/strong> for their enthusiastic participation and commitment to environmental awareness.<\/p>\n

      \ud83d\udccd Workshop Title:<\/strong> Smart Vermicompost Workshop: Theory and Practical<\/em>
      \ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83c\udfeb Project Leader:<\/strong> Dr. Nor Azimah Mohd Zain<\/em>, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, UTM
      \ud83d\udce7 Contact:<\/strong> norazimah@utm.my<\/p>\n

      \ud83d\udd17 Explore more sustainability and research highlights at:<\/strong> https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

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      The Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), recently organized a Smart Vermicompost Workshop: Theory and Practical at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Pulai Perdana (SKSPP), introducing participants to sustainable organic waste management enhanced by smart technology Led by Dr. Nor Azimah Mohd Zain and her research team \u2014 Dr. Zarita Zakaria, Dr. Siti […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":390,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-innovation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/390"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2614"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2717,"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2614\/revisions\/2717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2614"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2614"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/science.utm.my\/utmfsresearch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2614"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}