KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus reinforced its commitment to sustainability and entrepreneurship with the launch of the YGBB Campus Swinburne Outlet during a special edition of SwinTalk held today (May 21).
The student-led initiative, developed under the YourgutBB Sustainable Entrepreneurship Apprenticeship Programme, aims to reduce food waste while promoting circular economy practices within the campus community.
YourgutBB is a local eco-friendly startup known for producing fresh yoghurt and probiotic beverages while promoting sustainable consumption practices.
Through the YGBB Campus initiative, students are given hands-on exposure to social entrepreneurship by managing sustainability-driven operations and community engagement activities on campus.
Led by Swinburne alumnus, Mohamad Haziq Hafiz, under the mentorship of YourgutBB Kuching, the project introduces sustainable solutions such as a returnable bottle system and a zero-food waste approach to encourage environmentally conscious habits among students and staff.
As part of the initiative, the YGBB Campus team also introduced an organic waste collection programme at the university’s food hall in collaboration with food vendors and YourgutBB Kuching.
The programme focuses on diverting usable organic waste from landfills through composting and waste upcycling efforts.
Haziq said the initiative demonstrated the importance of collective action in building a sustainable campus ecosystem.
“We want to show that making positive, conscious choices for the environment can become a seamless and collaborative part of student life,” he said.
Supported by Yayasan Hasanah, the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, under the Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund 2024 (HSEF2024), and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), the initiative is envisioned as a scalable model for universities nationwide.
The launch was held in conjunction with SwinTalk themed ‘Building Businesses with Purpose: Young Entrepreneurs and Social Impact’, which gathered entrepreneurs, academics, industry leaders and students to discuss how businesses can create meaningful social and environmental impact.
The session featured a keynote address by YourgutBB founder, Ang Tse Chwan, while a panel discussion moderated by Dr Gabriel Wee explored sustainability, innovation and youth entrepreneurship with representatives from SDEC, Sarawak Eco Warriors, Black Bean Coffee & Tea Company, and YGBB Campus.
