SRI AMAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) continues to support communities through social entrepreneurship programmes by organising the Plant Extract Production Programme for Soap Making, held at Sri Aman’s Civic Centre on Saturday (Feb 22).
The programme involves eight UNIMAS students guided by two mentors: Associate Professor Ir Ts Dr Siti Kudnie Sahari, Deputy Director of the UNIMAS Entrepreneurship Centre, and Dr Nur Auni Ugong, Deputy Dean of HEPA, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK).
Funded by the Ministry of Higher Education under the University-Community Social Entrepreneurship (UCSE) grant, the programme helps students develop social entrepreneurship skills while benefiting the local community. Participants learn to extract natural substances from local plants for soap making, promoting eco-friendly practices and generating income. Modern machines are also provided to enhance the extraction process.
“This programme integrates fundamental principles of materials engineering to ensure an efficient extraction process and produce products that meet quality standards. Students not only apply the theories learned in the classroom but also gain hands-on experience in real-life situations that benefit the community,” Dr Siti Kudnie said.
“Social entrepreneurship is not just about producing products; it is also about how innovation can create a positive impact on the community. Through this programme, the Sri Aman community acquires new skills to generate income, while UNIMAS students gain valuable experience in understanding community needs and challenges,” Dr Nur Auni explained, highlighting the programme’s social and humanitarian impact in strengthening the university’s relationship with the local community.
The programme has received strong support from local residents, who hope for more initiatives like this in the future. The collaboration between UNIMAS and the community demonstrates how universities can actively contribute to community development through innovation and impactful approaches.