USM STRENGTHENS INDUSTRY COLLABORATION, SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE QUARRYING PRACTICES OF FYS MARKETING SDN. BHD.

NIBONG TEBAL, 9 June 2026 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, continues to strengthen its strategic relationship with industry through ongoing collaboration with FYS Marketing Sdn. Bhd., which has recently been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the first Green Quarry Edutourism in Malaysia.

The recognition reflects the company’s commitment towards promoting more sustainable, responsible and knowledge-driven quarrying practices in line with the current needs of the nation’s mineral resources sector.

Director of the USM Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus USM, Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar @ Mustapha, said the achievement attained by FYS is not only a proud milestone for the industry, but also demonstrates the strong potential of strategic collaboration between universities and industry in creating greater value for the nation.

According to her, the collaboration between USM and FYS Marketing Sdn. Bhd. has been established since 2017 through various initiatives involving research, industrial training, expertise sharing and technology transfer.

“This collaboration demonstrates how universities and industries complement each other’s roles. Universities provide the foundation of knowledge and research, while industry serves as a catalyst for real-world applications that benefit both the sector and society,” she said.

She also stressed that the mineral resources sector plays an important role in national development, although it often faces challenges related to public perception and environmental sustainability issues.

In this regard, the Green Quarry Edutourism recognition received by FYS proves that modern quarrying operations can be carried out sustainably with emphasis on safety, environmental preservation and public education.

She added that the edutourism approach introduced by FYS provides opportunities for students, researchers, government agencies, industry players and the public to better understand quarrying operations through a closer and more factual perspective.

“Through this approach, knowledge can be disseminated more widely while helping to build a more accurate public understanding of the industry,” she added.

Meanwhile, she noted that as a research university, USM remains committed to contributing through academic and technical expertise, particularly through the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering.

She further described the achievement as clear evidence that synergy between academia and industry can produce significant impact and should continue to be strengthened and expanded into other relevant fields.

“May this collaborative relationship continue to be strengthened and expanded in supporting the development of the industry and national research,” she said.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim