JOHOR BAHRU, 26 July 2016 – A total of 16 first year students of the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) will join the 8th Trans Malaysia Biodiesel Expedition.
The expedition that will last for 9 days starting from 25 July 2016 will explore 5 places in three countries, namely Indonesia (Batam), Malaysia (Pulau Pangkor and Felda Jengka) and Thailand (Hat Yai and Surat Thani).
Programme Director, Muhammad Firdaus Ahmad Talhah said that this expedition is a continuation of the previous edition which involved several countries such as Vietnam, Laos and China.
“For this edition, the participants will bring ‘Mini Mobile Biodiesel Reactor’ all along the way. This device was created with technical assistance from the FKT. It was used by the crew to produce biodiesel fuel from used cooking oil,” he said.
The goal of this expedition was to promote and create awareness of the use of biodiesel fuel among the community in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand in addition to conducting research.
In addition to promoting biodiesel fuel, the adventures of the crew will also conduct community service program called ‘Marhaban di Bumi Yala’ scheduled to be held at Kampung Pulamong, Mukim Kekra, Reman District, Yala.
“The activities carried out will be conducting ‘marhaban’ with school students as well as visiting several houses in the village for donations during the month of Shawal,” he said.
This programme was officially launched by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Omar, at the Sultan Ibrahim Chancellery Building, Johor Bahru campus.
For Community Service activities, the participants also received support from the Recreational Club of Transportation Unit (KRUKEND) Pejabat Harta Bina UTM and also the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK).