USM Empowers B40 Women Community in Balok, Pahang, through 3R Practices: ‘From Waste to Wealth’ Programme

The School of Health Sciences (PPSK), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Association (KRT) of Taman Balok Jaya, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) Pahang, and Kuantan Community College, successfully organised the Balok Community Programme: From Waste to Wealth on 21st of June 2025 in Kuantan, Pahang.

The community project was an initiative by 21 students (Year 1 Dietetics and Medical Radiation, PPSK) enrolled in the elective course GEG 218 Community Development in Health Promotion led by Muhammad Fuad Bin Hamzi supervised by Associate Professor Dr. Siti Marwanis Anua, aimed to enhance awareness and understanding of the 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) among the B40 Women of Balok community, while encouraging them to adopt sustainable waste management practices (from waste to wealth) that contribute to global health and environmental well-being.

As part of the programme, participants were introduced to basic soap-making techniques using used cooking oil, alongside practical guidance on effective marketing strategies to support the promotion of these soap products. This effort is intended to empower housewives by providing them with the opportunity to generate supplementary household income.

Beyond community empowerment, the programme also served as a platform to strengthen university-community engagement through transdisciplinary teaching and learning, fostering meaningful collaboration between academia and society.