Turning Green Ideas into Gold: TAR UMT’s Award-Winning Invention for Sustainable Construction at INDES 2025
The winning project uses industrial waste to create sustainable building materials.
Published 14 Nov 2025
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A team from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) clinched the gold medal at the 14th International Invention, Innovation & Design Exhibition (INDES 2025), an event known for spotlighting groundbreaking ideas with commercial promise.
Representing TAR UMT’s Faculty of Built Environment (FOBE), a student team topped the University Students category. Their winning project, titled “Eco-Friendly Concrete Innovations: Assessing Alum Sludge and Palm Kernel Shell as Sustainable Alternatives in Block Concrete Production”, impressed judges with its smart use of industrial waste to create sustainable building materials.
Led by Ts Gunalaan Vasudevan, Programme Leader at FOBE, the team included recent graduates from the Bachelor of Construction Management and Economics (Hons) programme, Ng Wi Liam and Cheng Zhi Qin. Their innovative product was an eco-friendly interlocking block pavement made using alum sludge and palm kernel shell, both industrial by-products. The blocks were designed to be durable and environmentally friendly, offering a greener alternative to traditional pavement systems.
Explaining the motivation behind the project, Wi Liam shared, “The goal is to reduce construction waste, lower carbon emissions, and offer a green alternative to conventional pavement systems.” Zhi Qin added, “It stemmed from our shared interest in green construction. After researching global issues and receiving professional feedback, we aimed to develop a solution that balances waste utilisation, structural efficiency, and sustainability.”
The project was well received by the judges, who commended the team for strong research work and creative use of waste materials. Suggestions were also made to explore the product’s scalability, cost efficiency and long-term performance. Zhi Qin credited their mentor for their success, saying, “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.”
For the team members, the experience helped shape their outlook on sustainable innovation and their own career goals. “We learned that sustainable innovation can lead to practical solutions with long-term benefits,” said Wi Liam. “It also sharpened our skills in project management, teamwork, and technical communication.”
Now working as a site engineer, Zhi Qin is actively exploring ways to take the invention further. “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.”
Meanwhile, Wi Liam, currently a modeller at a Building Information Modelling (BIM) company, sees long-term potential in the idea too. “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 graduates agreed that the work is far from over. They aim to continue improving the eco-friendly blocks to boost their durability and environmental performance. Looking ahead, they hope to make the blocks recyclable and even integrate green technologies like solar power, in line with the ultimate goal of contributing to sustainability efforts.
With their shared commitment to sustainability and innovation, this TAR UMT team has shown that student projects can have meaningful real-world impact, starting with a gold medal and reaching towards building a greener future for the next generation, one block at a time.
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Amelia Ho
Always wandering, always wondering.
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