BOGOR, INDONESIA, 28 JANUARI 2026 - The Faculty of Food Science and Technology (FSTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), carried out a community engagement activity as part of its international outreach programme in Bogor, Indonesia. The programme was led by Associate Professor Dr. Nur Hanani Zainal Abedin, assisted by Dr. Foong Han Lyn and Dr. Maryam ‘Adilah Zainal Arifin, and involved four postgraduate students from the Faculty who are also facilitators of the Smart Scientist programme. The activity took place in Cibulao Village, Puncak Bogor, with the aim of strengthening knowledge transfer in the fields of food science and processing technology to the local community, particularly coffee and tea plantation operators and children in the area.

Tea plantation (left) and coffee plants (right) at the Cibulao Village, Puncak Bogor.

The programme commenced with a coffee ground valorisation activity through the production of coffee-scented candles and coffee-flavoured body scrubs, aimed at creatively and sustainably utilising waste materials. This environmental sustainability initiative helped reduce coffee ground and bean waste generated during the drying, roasting, and sorting processes. Participants were also briefed on the role of packaging in protecting the products produced and enhancing consumer safety through the selection of appropriate packaging materials.

Activity on producing coffee-scented candles and coffee-flavoured body scrubs using spent coffee grounds.

The FSTM UPM delegation posing with local tea and coffee plantation operators.

A hands-on learning approach was implemented through the Smart Scientist@Bogor activities, which engaged children in various creative experiments. For instance, the production of watercolours using fruit peels, leaves, and flowers was introduced to demonstrate the potential of natural materials as sources of pigments. In addition, the children were introduced to the concept of natural pigments that change colour according to acidity levels (pH), helping them to understand basic scientific principles interactively and fostering greater interest in science.

Children participating in colouring activities using pigments derived from plant-based sources.

The implementation of this international community outreach programme reflects FSTM UPM’s continuous efforts to strengthen the university’s role as a catalyst for community development, while nurturing values of sustainability and innovation through engaging and meaningful science education.

Prepared by,

Dr. Foong Han Lyn

Date of Input: 16/02/2026 | Updated: 16/02/2026 | nur_jasni