An article by Jacqueline Arnold @ Twentytwo13
I work in the public relations (PR) industry where a good command of language is vital; it doesn’t matter what language, English, Bahasa Melayu, or Mandarin. Language is a basic communication tool.
Every day, I see the simplest of mistakes made in the drafts of junior team members. Many of these mistakes were things I was taught in school; and these are university graduates…
Recently, Harvard published a 75-year study on the connection between chores and success later in life. The study concluded that children who did chores from a young age tend to be more successful and happier later in life.
This leads me to the conclusion that a solid education, at home as well as in school, is critical to success in adult life and to the development of the nation.
As the year quickly draws to a close, I remembered that there is one outstanding item on my list of things to do. I wanted to feature a young lady who impressed me (and I’m not easily impressed).
Young talent always catches my eye, and earlier this year, I chanced upon a post by a young lady on LinkedIn who was part of a duo that had just been awarded the gold medal at the 10th Southeast Asian Young Agricultural and Food Engineer Student Chapter Annual Regional Convention for their project titled, ‘Production of Biohydrogen from Copra Meal Waste’.
Laavenya George, a final-year Chemical Engineering student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), specialising in renewable energy and biomass utilisation, teamed up with Muhammad Harith Syahmi Zaimi, a Master of Science student in Chemical Engineering, whose thesis was on biobutanol and biohydrogen production from copra meal as well.
Their research explored an innovative approach to generating biohydrogen, a clean and sustainable alternative energy source to fossil fuels, using copra meal – a by-product of coconut oil production. The project aimed to address two significant challenges faced both in Malaysia and worldwide: (i) the management of agricultural waste from the coconut industry, and (ii) the production of renewable energy.
Copra meal, often considered agricultural waste, has potential as a feedstock for biohydrogen production due to its high carbohydrate content. Laavenya and Harith’s research also involved the optimisation of biohydrogen production by studying the effects of metal ion sources and headspace on the overall production.
The process of producing biohydrogen from copra meal in their research involved biological fermentation, which is typically less energy-intensive than conventional hydrogen production methods like steam methane reforming. By finding efficient ways to utilise this by-product, the project aimed to contribute to both environmental sustainability and energy security.
This approach not only provides an innovative method for producing renewable energy but also adds value to agricultural residues that are often discarded.
“I decided to focus my project on agricultural products and renewable energy for several reasons. Firstly, the agricultural sector produces a significant amount of biomass waste, which presents an untapped resource for energy production. In Malaysia, for example, over 75 per cent of coconut waste, including copra meal, remains unused, highlighting the potential for converting this waste into valuable energy sources,” Laavenya explained.
“By converting this waste into energy products, we can reduce environmental pollution and promote a circular economy. Secondly, renewable energy is essential for combating climate change and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels,” she enlightened me further.
Through her project, Laavenya aims to contribute to the development of cleaner and more sustainable energy sources that can be integrated into existing energy systems. This focus aligns with her passion for creating technologies that support a zero-carbon footprint and a more sustainable future.
Laavenya’s interest in renewable energy and environmental topics was ignited during her schooling at SMK Vivekananda. As an active member and secretary of the school’s environment club, she participated in various environment-related seminars and competitions. These experiences sparked a profound interest in renewable and clean energy sources. The more she learned, the more fascinated she became with the immense potential of renewable energy technologies. Engaging children from a young age is key.
Laavenya hopes that by overcoming barriers such as financial constraints, regulatory challenges, and public awareness, Malaysia and the world can fully embrace renewable energy.
“By promoting collaboration between the government, private sector, academia, and communities, we can overcome obstacles and drive innovation. This collective effort will pave the way for a sustainable energy future, ensuring that both Malaysia and the world harness renewable resources effectively and transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape,” she said.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has pledged that students will receive comprehensive support and a quality learning environment after her ministry was allocated a record RM64.1 billion in the 2025 budget.
The nation desperately needs to revamp the current curriculum to ensure inclusivity and diversity, holistic development, global competitiveness, and the development of 21st-century skills to address the changing job market. If there is no unity, all other efforts will be in vain.
Congratulations on your win, Laavenya and Harith, on your success, and I hope you continue to pursue your dreams and inspire.
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