Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) is committed to sustainability, aligning its efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They aim to help young people and local communities gain skills for sustainable food production and environmental conservation. A recent project at UTAR is transforming Lake 5, located at their Kampar campus, into a fish farm to address food security issues and environmental threats, such as water pollution and rising production costs in aquaculture. This project is a collaborative effort between UTAR’s Faculty of Science and PNT Gading Enterprise, with the goal of promoting sustainable fish farming.
The project uses natural water bodies, such as old ponds and lakes left over from Kampar's tin-mining days. These ponds, now unused, can support sustainable fish farming. The researchers of UTAR Faculty of Science (FSc) Assoc Prof Dr Wong Wey Lim, Ts Dr Teoh Chaiw Yee, and Dr Ooi Ai Lin are currently in the progress of revitalising abandoned ponds and lakes around Kampar.
Dr. Wong, the aquaculture project leader, explains that if left untended, these lakes would lose their natural ecosystems, dry up, and be useless for agriculture. Transforming Lake 5 helps prevent these environmental losses, providing high-quality proteins sustainably. Previously, UTAR converted another lake, Lake K11, into a model site for educational and community purposes, showing how abandoned water bodies can be revived for sustainable use.
In this project, the team converted Lake 5 into a fish farm with industry partner PNT Gading Enterprise, marking UTAR's first university-industry collaboration for aquaculture. PNT Gading Enterprise manages the pond’s upkeep and fish cultivation, while UTAR’s research team monitors lake conditions, providing guidance to ensure sustainable practices. The lake is used to raise freshwater fish like Milkfish, Patin, and Carps. They use the lake’s natural resources—water, space, and nutrients—to support a balanced ecosystem where fish can thrive without extra nutrients that harm water quality.
Dr. Wong’s team integrates the lake’s microorganisms, like plankton, as a natural food source for the fish, which also helps reduce excess nutrients in the water, keeping the ecosystem healthy. Beyond being a fish farm, Lake 5 serves as a research hub where UTAR students gain hands-on experience in sustainable aquaculture, water management, and ecosystem balance. Students monitor water quality and fish health, analyzing data for research on aquaculture and food security.
However, managing a natural fish farm has challenges, especially during Malaysia’s rainy seasons, which can disrupt feeding and lower water quality by introducing sediments and pollutants into the lake. Prolonged rain affects water’s dissolved oxygen, pH, and nutrient balance, adding stress to the fish.
This project not only supports food sustainability but also enhances UTAR's goal of using natural resources responsibly. Lake 5’s transformation was part of a Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP), reflecting the Malaysian community’s commitment to sustainable practices. The Lake 5 project is a big step in UTAR's mission to unite academic knowledge and industry expertise for a sustainable future, ensuring food security and protecting natural resources for future generations.
