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TAR UMT Team Strikes Gold at INDES 2025 with Sustainable Concrete Innovation

Wi Liam (left) and Zhi Qin (right), with their lecturer Ts Gunalaan, proudly holding up the block concrete and the Gold medal.

On 26 June 2025, the 14th International Invention, Innovation & Design Exhibition (INDES 2025) brought together 210 participants from universities, industries, and schools at both national and international levels. The prestigious event aimed to showcase innovative inventions with commercial potential.

Representing TAR UMT, a team from the Faculty of Built Environment (FOBE) clinched the Gold Medal in Category B (University Students). The team, led by Ts Gunalaan Vasudevan, Programme Leader of FOBE and comprising Ng Wi Liam and Cheng Zhi Qin, who recently completed their programme at TAR UMT, impressed judges with their project titled “Eco-Friendly Concrete Innovations: Assessing Alum Sludge and Palm Kernel Shell as Sustainable Alternatives in Block Concrete Production.”

Their product, a Sustainable Development of Eco-friendly Interlocking Block Pavement, was designed using industrial by-products, alum sludge and palm kernel shell, to create durable, permeable, and environmentally friendly interlocking blocks. “The goal is to reduce construction waste, lower carbon emissions, and offer a green alternative to conventional pavement systems,” said Wi Liam.

Zhi Qin explained the project's roots: “It stemmed from our shared interest in green construction. After researching about global issues and receiving professional feedback, we aimed to develop a solution that balances waste utilisation, structural efficiency, and sustainability.”

Reflecting on their experience, Zhi Qin praised their mentor: “Working with Ts Gunalaan was enriching. He guided us not only in technical areas but also in research and presentation, fostering an open and supportive environment.”

Wi Liam added, “We learned that sustainable innovation can lead to practical solutions with long-term benefits. It also sharpened our skills in project management, teamwork, and technical communication.”

Now working as a Site Engineer, Zhi Qin applies his knowledge in the field: “Right now, my company is focused on researching new products to propose to a construction chemical solutions?company, so I’m exploring how this eco-friendly block can fit into that. I plan to continue refining the design and performance of the blocks before presenting to the company. I am optimistic that the block will be viewed as a potential product. However, if this is not so, I also have a plan to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities to commercialise the product.”

Wi Liam, who recently joined a Building Information Modelling (BIM) company as a Modeller, shared, “Preparing for the competition taught me to be organised and meticulous, skills that are now essential in model coordination and technical communication. Since I’ve just started in the role, my current focus is on building technical expertise in the industry. While I’m not actively introducing the invention at my workplace right now, I’m keeping it in mind as a long-term idea. If the right support or partnership comes along, we would be open to revisiting this project and exploring its potential for real-world application in sustainable construction.”

Both of them agreed on the project’s future direction. “We aim to keep improving the eco-friendly interlocking blocks to make them more durable and environmentally friendly. Our goal is to see them adopted widely in cities and construction projects committed to reducing their carbon footprint. In the future, we also want to make the blocks recyclable, so they can be reused instead of discarded. Additionally, we plan to explore integrating other green technologies, like solar power, to further contribute to sustainable urban development.”

The judges commended the students’ presentation, noting that the project demonstrated strong research potential. They liked their innovative use of waste materials and suggested they look into scalability, cost efficiency and long-term performance to make it even better.