MAROS, May 16 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS), Makassar, Indonesia has long enjoyed mutually beneficial activities-filled collaboration.

In the latest joint venture, UTM has one of its staff, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zainul Akmar Zakaria, from the Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT), participated as a Guest Speaker and International Partner in the Community Development Grant Program (ComDev) – EQUITY World Class University (WCU) 2026 organized by UNHAS.

Led by Prof Dr. Fahruddin and strongly assisted by the highly capable Dr. Mustika Tuwo, both from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), the program was successfully held on the 16th of May 2026 in Pucak Village, Maros Regency, with TernaKita Indonesia Foundation acting as Official Partner.

Carrying the theme “Biochar – Technological Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture”, the initiative focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices through the application of biochar technology while strengthening international collaboration in community development and environmental sustainability.

Located in the highland area of Tompobulu District, Pucak Village is widely recognized for its rich biodiversity, cool climate, agricultural landscape, and growing agro-ecotourism potential. The village is home to the renowned Pucak Botanical Garden (Kebun Raya Pucak), which serves as an important center for plant conservation, environmental education, research, and eco-tourism in South Sulawesi. Studies have highlighted the area’s strong potential for agro-education tourism and sustainable agribusiness development, supported by its natural resources, endemic plant diversity, and active community participation.

In recent years, the community in Pucak Village has also been involved in various empowerment and sustainability initiatives, including organic composting, livestock feed innovation, eco-tourism activities, and community-based agricultural programs. These initiatives have strengthened the village’s role as a living laboratory for sustainable rural development and environmental stewardship.

During the program, Dr. Zainul shared some examples of successful community engagement-development undertaken by UTM in recent years, as well as engaging in discussions with researchers, local stakeholders, and community members on sustainable technologies and community-centered environmental innovation. His participation further strengthened academic and research collaboration between UTM and UNHAS, particularly in sustainability science, agriculture, and community engagement.

The ComDev Grant Program also served as a platform for knowledge transfer between academics and local communities in emphasizing the importance of practical, scalable, and locally adaptable solutions for sustainable agriculture.

To facilitate Dr. Zainul’s participation in the program, Prof. Fahruddin and team, through the ComDev grant program, generously provided comprehensive hospitality support, including round-trip international airfare between Johor Bahru and Makassar, accommodation throughout the stay, as well as local transportation and logistical arrangements.

This program reflects the growing commitment of regional universities, notably UTM and UNHAS, towards strengthening impactful international collaboration, driving mutually beneficial measures to support sustainable development goals, and always promoting community-driven innovation for environmental resilience.