Accelerating Green Development in Asia by UTM

Greetings from SS14: Accelerating Green Development in Asia! 🌿
On March 11th, we visited the UTM Kuala Lumpur campus for an introduction to the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT). This visit gave us great insights into the strong educational and research ties between Malaysia and Japan.

During our UTM KL campus tour, the students got an exciting, immersive lab tour covering advanced manufacturing. They learned how CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines craft precise, smooth objects by removing material from a raw block, using machines with 3 to 9 axes for extra mobility! We also checked out 3D printing, which builds objects from scratch using filaments. Although it leaves a rougher surface compared to CNC, 3D printing can produce less waste. Plus, the students got to understand how reverse engineering works, where 3D scanners are used to scan and recreate physical components. 💻

The next day, we learned about the TRX green building concept with a tour around TRX City Park, followed by a visit to the ESG Centre. As Malaysia’s first ‘Sustainability Insights’ hub, the students learned how the centre supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and practical carbon reduction. We then wrapped up the day with a visit to the historic Stadium Merdeka. 🏢

Finally, on March 14th, we officially sent off our delegates at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for their flights home. It was bittersweet saying our last goodbyes after an amazing three weeks filled with green innovation and lifelong friendships.

Thank you to all the participants for making SS14 2026 a huge success. Let's continue to champion a sustainable future together! 🚀🌍

Greetings from SS14: Accelerating Green Development in Asia! 🌿
After arriving in KL on March 9th, we wrapped up our first evening with a relaxing KLCC night walk to catch the stunning view of the Petronas Twin Towers. ✨

The adventure continued on March 10th with a cultural walking trail right in the heart of the city. We explored the vibrant Central Market and Petaling Street, checked out the unique BookXcess at RexKL, and took in the historical architecture at Dataran Merdeka and Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad.

During our trip, we also made a stop at Putrajaya to visit the beautiful Putra Mosque. The students had a great time taking photos with its iconic pink domes right by the scenic lake! Later in the week, everyone enjoyed a "Free and Easy" day to do some last-minute souvenir shopping and explore the iconic golden statue and colourful steps at Batu Caves!

Greetings from SS14: Accelerating Green Development in Asia! 🌿
Week 3 marked the final chapter of our incredible SS14 journey! For this last leg of the program, our delegates travelled up north from Johor to explore the historical city of Melaka.

On March 8th, we went for a City Walk to soak in the rich cultural heritage. The students had a great time walking down the lively Jonker Walk and taking group photos at iconic landmarks like the A Famosa fortress and the vibrant Stadthuys (Red Square).

To learn more about the city's past, we dropped by the Fort of Melaka Heritage Gallery. It was a very insightful visit, giving the students a closer look at Melaka's deep history as a global maritime trading hub.We also visited the beautiful Melaka Straits Mosque (Masjid Selat Melaka). The students got to experience the local culture firsthand, and the view of the grand mosque sitting right by the water was simply stunning.

It was a fulfilling day of sightseeing before we packed our bags and headed to Malaysia's bustling capital, Kuala Lumpur! ✨

Greetings from SS14: Accelerating Green Development in Asia! 🌿
Throughout the week, our delegates dedicated countless hours to deep discussion, cross-cultural brainstorming, and refining their team projects. It was truly inspiring to see students from different academic backgrounds working closely together to tackle real-world environmental challenges. All this hard work, research, and preparation finally led to the highly anticipated Group Presentation Day!

This year, the teams focused their brilliant minds on a highly relevant central theme: Conversion of Food Waste. The room was filled with creative and practical sustainable solutions as each group presented their unique approach. To make their solutions truly comprehensive and ready for the real world, each group was also tasked with a tough but rewarding challenge: conducting a detailed Greenhouse Gas (GHG) assessment calculation! This critical step allowed them to scientifically measure the environmental impact and prove the actual carbon reduction potential of their proposed methods.

We are incredibly proud of the high-level research, critical thinking, and innovative ideas presented by all the teams! 📊♻️💡