MPDEC 2026 SHOWCASES CREATIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS AMONG USM ENGINEERING STUDENTS

NIBONG TEBAL, 4 April 2026 - The School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering (PPKBSM) at the Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today hosted the Materials & Product Design Eco-Challenge (MPDEC) 2026.

Sponsored by GSH Precision Technology Sdn. Bhd. and organized in collaboration with the Mineral & Material Engineering Society (MIMATES), the programme brought together students on a competitive platform focused on developing product ideas based on sustainability principles.

Throughout the programme, participants had the opportunity to present innovative ideas that integrated principles of materials and mineral engineering with environmentally friendly product design approaches, before being evaluated by a panel of invited academic and industry judges.

The Dean of PPKBSM, Professor Ts. Dr. Zulkifli Mohamad Ariff, said in his speech that programmes like this play a crucial role in producing engineering graduates who are not only academically excellent but also highly conscious of the need for sustainable development.

He also emphasized the importance of exposing students to real industry challenges, enabling them to produce practical, innovative, and high-impact solutions.

“MPDEC 2026 reflects PPKBSM USM’s commitment to nurturing holistic engineering graduates who are well-prepared to face current industry challenges.

Support from industry partners such as GSH Precision Technology Sdn. Bhd. further highlights the importance of strategic university-industry collaborations in strengthening the national engineering education ecosystem,” he said.

Professor Zulkifli added that overall, the programme serves not only as a medium to uncover students’ talents and creativity but also reinforces the university’s role in advancing sustainable development through engineering education and innovation.

Meanwhile, the Project Director, Harashta Mufazzal Fatytra, stated that the programme was designed as a platform to encourage students to think creatively and critically in producing product designs relevant to current needs.

He explained that the competition- and exhibition-based approach allows students to sharpen their communication skills and build confidence in presenting their work to professional panels.

The programme also provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge learned in classrooms to real-world situations, in line with industry requirements that increasingly emphasize sustainability, resource efficiency, and innovation in product development.

On a global scale, the engineering field is moving towards the use of green materials and low-carbon design, making early exposure such as this highly significant for developing students’ competencies.

Text: Courtesy of Dr. Ku Esyra Hani Ku Ishak / Photo: Courtesy of Material and Mineral Resources Society (MIMATES)

Edited by: Siti Faizah Abd Halim