KUCHING – In an inspiring effort to make science more accessible and engaging, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus hosted a hands-on workshop titled “Delving into the Science of Plant Tissue Culture” on 12 July 2025 at SMK Batu Lintang, demonstrating how cutting-edge biotechnology can be explored using everyday household tools.
The workshop brought together 49 Form 4 and Form 6 students and 14 science teachers for an immersive experience in plant tissue culture – a technique used to propagate plants in sterile conditions on nutrient media. Traditionally requiring advanced laboratory equipment, the process was adapted in this session using simple materials, showing that scientific exploration can begin at home.
The session was led by Dato Dr Sim Soon Liang, Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), who guided participants through the plant cloning process. The workshop exemplified meaningful knowledge transfer, turning complex concepts into hands-on learning and planting the seeds of scientific curiosity among young Sarawakians.
Teachers in action.
Experts from the Agriculture Research Centre, Forest Department Sarawak, Malaysian Pepper Board, and Swinburne Sarawak enriched the session with their valuable insights. The presence of officials from the Kuching District Education Office highlighted the significance of this initiative in supporting national education priorities.
The program was co-organised by Ms Cassandra Lau (School of Foundation Studies, Swinburne Sarawak), Dr Daniel Tan (Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne Sarawak), and Dr Herman Umbau (Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute – TROPI), with the goal of aligning scientific learning with the Malaysian school curriculum. The event also aimed to spark student interest in real-world applications of biotechnology and sustainable development.
In a parallel session titled “Effective English in Scientific Communication”, facilitated by Ms Ngu Chai Sia from Swinburne Sarawak’s School of Foundation Studies, students learned how to articulate their findings in clear, concise English – supporting Malaysia’s Dual Language Program (DLP) and reinforcing the importance of communication in science.
This initiative was proudly co-coordinated and sponsored by the Malaysian Peat Society (MPS), under the leadership of Datu Dr Lulie Melling, Senior Fellow of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Fellow of ASM, and Chairperson of ASM Sarawak Chapter. Her visionary commitment to youth education and science outreach played a pivotal role in the program’s success.
The event drew support from nine partner organisations, including UN-SDSN, MPS, TROPI, and SMK Batu Lintang, showcasing a powerful collaboration between research, education, and government.
The development of explant.
By demonstrating that plant tissue culture can be taught with basic tools, the program not only demystified science but also empowered students to see themselves as future innovators in food security, environmental restoration, and sustainable development.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), LinkedIn page (Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus), X page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak), YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak), or Xiaohongshu page (@SwinburneSwk).