SKUDAI, July 2 – In an effort to cultivate scientific thinking and entrepreneurial skills among secondary school students, a hands-on workshop titled “Formulation of Organic Roselle-Based Lip Balm” was successfully conducted at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Skudai on 2 July 2025. The programme was part of the Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP), led by Ts. Dr. Siti Pauliena Mohd Bohari from the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and funded under the KTP grant scheme. Building on earlier sessions conducted with school teachers at the Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD), this workshop marked a strategic effort to bring the acquired knowledge directly to students.
A total of 40 students participated in the session, which was facilitated by trained schoolteachers and jointly monitored by Ts. Dr. Siti Pauliena, Dr. Nurliyana Ahmad Zawawi from Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, and ChM. Ida Madiha Yusoff from IBD, UTM. The workshop introduced students to natural product formulation using ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, lipocire, vitamin E, and school-grown organic roselle extract. The roselle used was cultivated using sustainable Hügelkultur composting methods, previously taught during an earlier phase of the program. The session provided scientific insight into formulation techniques while highlighting the antioxidant and skincare benefits of roselle.
To enhance engagement, the workshop was conducted as a group-based challenge in which teams simulated startup companies. Each team was required to develop a lip balm that met several quality benchmarks, including smooth texture, appealing roselle aroma with peach or orange notes, product stability, and hygienic preparation. In addition to formulation, teams pitched their product branding and provided scientific explanations for their ingredient choices, demonstrating both teamwork and communication skills.
“This program highlights the meaningful impact of knowledge transfer from university research to school-level education,” said Ts. Dr. Pauliena. “It empowers young learners to explore science through creativity and hands-on problem-solving.” Teachers at SMK Skudai expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations and hope to position the school as a hub for community-based training programs, particularly through train-the-trainer models focused on natural product innovation.
The workshop reflects UTM’s ongoing commitment to community engagement, sustainability, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic) outreach. By translating university research into practical learning experiences, initiatives like this inspire students to explore scientific fields while promoting local bioresource innovation. It is a promising step forward in nurturing the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders.
By: Dr. Nurliyana Ahmad Zawawi and Ts. Dr. Siti Pauliena Mohd Bohari