Written by Noor’ain Aini and Siti Haslina Hussin
Koperasi Rezeki Kerjasama Kuching Berhad in Kampung Rampangi recently welcomed Dato’ Dr. Haji Megat Sany bin Megat Ahmad Supian, Deputy Chief Secretary (Policy) of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), for a reflective and engaging visit to the site of the Social Innovation Project “Memperkasakan Kehidupan Lestari: Membangunkan Pengeluaran Sabun Mesra Alam untuk Penjanaan Pendapatan.”
The visit aimed to observe the progress, impact, and sustainability of the project funded under MOHE’s Social Innovation Program, and to engage directly with community members to gain insights into their experiences, achievements, and challenges that they face. It also sought to identify opportunities for further collaboration and policy support to strengthen university-led innovation in community development.
Empowering communities through knowledge transfer
Project leader Siti Haslina Hussin highlighted that the project integrates environmental sustainability with income generation. Through a series of knowledge transfer workshops, UNIMAS experts trained cooperative members in soap formulation and production, branding, marketing, and financial management.
Also present were Professor Ir. Dr. Siti Noor Linda Taib, UNIMAS Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation); Professor Dr Awang Ahmad Sallehin Awang Husaini, Director of Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialization and Economy; Abdullah Kasdi, Chairman of Koperasi Rezeki, representatives from MOHE; project team members and project participants.
Demonstrating innovation in action
During the visit, cooperative member Halimah Yusop demonstrated the process of transforming used cooking oil into eco-friendly soap. The process showcased the community’s growing technical proficiency and confidence gained through the training. A variety of soaps were put on display, featured in attractive tones and designs that reflected the members’ creativity and attention to product presentation.
As a token of appreciation, some of these readymade soaps were presented to Dato’ Dr Megat Sany and the visiting team as souvenirs, symbolizing the project’s tangible outcomes and the community’s dedication.
More soaps on display
Leadership reflections and future aspirations
Expressing his admiration for the project’s success, Dato’ Dr Haji Megat Sany remarked:
“I am truly impressed with this initiative, it translates university expertise into real community impact. The project shows how research can improve livelihoods while addressing environmental concerns. Moving forward, I encourage the team to enhance product labelling and marketing.”
Professor Dr Siti Noor Linda added that community initiatives with strong potential such as this should be sustained beyond their initial phase.
“This kind of project should not be a one-off initiative,” she emphasized. “Continuous collaboration and regular follow-ups are essential to assist the community in expanding their production capacity, marketing reach and sustainability in the long run.”
Interfaculty collaboration for holistic impact
This project is a collaborative effort between three faculties at UNIMAS: Faculty of Education, Language and Communication (FELC), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH) and Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB). Each faculty contributes its unique expertise, from educational outreach and community engagement to socio-economic analysis and business development to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable approach to empowering the local community.
A vision for sustainable impact
Siti Haslina expressed gratitude to MOHE for the funding and commended the cooperative members for their commitment, creativity and resilience in developing the soap project. She hoped the project continues to achieve its aim to generate income for the community while at the same time reducing household spending on cleaning products.
The visit concluded on an optimistic note that highlights how the project aligns with UNIMAS’s vision to be a community-driven university, where research, innovation, and social responsibility work hand in hand to uplift local communities and promote sustainable living.
FSSH – A Partner for Social Change