SKUDAI, Apr 27 — UTM International today successfully organized the Train of Trainers (TOT) on Sustainable Agriculture at the FS Living Lab, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), gathering passionate participants from diverse backgrounds to champion sustainable farming practices and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The one-day event was conducted under the guidance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norahim Ibrahim, a prominent advocate of sustainable agriculture and circular economy initiatives. Participants engaged in a series of hands-on workshops covering sustainable planting methods, organic waste composting, and food harvesting techniques, set against the lush backdrop of UTM’s Living Lab gardens.
This TOT event was held in collaboration with EMRO Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and Nutrition Technologies Sdn. Bhd. as industrial partners, further strengthening the link between academia and industry in promoting real-world sustainable practices. The collaboration provided participants with insights into innovative solutions and technologies currently applied in the agricultural and waste management sectors.
The programme strongly aligned with three key SDGs: Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Quality Education (SDG 4). It also contributed to the broader global food security and circular economy agenda, empowering future trainers to spread knowledge on resilient farming techniques and resource-efficient food systems.
The event welcomed around 20 participants, comprising a diverse group from Bangladesh, Somalia, Yemen, and Senegal, along with several local students from the Global Buddies programme and final-year students from the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, UTM. Their active involvement highlighted the global and local importance of sustainable agricultural education, particularly for regions and communities vulnerable to food security challenges and environmental change.
Participants gained valuable skills in recycling organic wastes — including landscape waste, food waste, and agricultural wastes — to produce compost fertilizer, an essential component of sustainable farming. Additionally, they learned how to prepare raised beds as a soil treatment method prior to growing short-term crops, enhancing soil quality and ensuring better crop yields.
International students, specifically, expressed great excitement about the new practical experiences they gained during the session. For many, it was their first time engaging directly with composting processes, soil management techniques, and hands-on sustainable agriculture practices, offering them valuable skills they hope to bring back to their home countries.
In a statement, Dr. Norahim emphasized, “By equipping trainers with practical skills and a deeper understanding of sustainable agriculture, we are planting the seeds for healthier communities and more resilient food ecosystems. Education is the key to lasting change.”
Participants not only gained technical know-how but also contributed ideas for scaling sustainable practices across communities, aiming to create ripple effects that reach far beyond the university. Many attendees described the session as inspiring, citing the strong connection between agricultural sustainability, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
According to the event organizers from UTM International, this TOT program reflects the university’s broader mission to create real-world learning experiences that contribute to sustainable development at both local and global scales. “Through initiatives like these, we hope to nurture a generation of changemakers who can lead sustainability efforts in their own communities,” said a spokesperson from UTM International.
