GEMAS' SMK SERI PERPATIH CROWNED AGROBANK'S AQUACULTURE ASPIRE 2025 CHAMPION

SERDANG, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Seri Perpatih, Gemas, Negeri Sembilan emerged the champion of the Aquaculture Aspire 2025 Competition with a tilapia farming project based on biofloc technology, taking home a cash prize of RM3,000.

SMK Renek, Jerteh, Terengganu took second place with a RM2,000 prize, while SM Pendidikan Khas Vokasional Merbok, Kedah secured third place and received RM1,000.

The prize-giving ceremony was officiated by Education Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim at the Aquaculture Aspire 2025 Prize-Giving Ceremony held here today.

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Also present was Agrobank Chief Development Officer Ahmad Ariff Abu Bakar.

The competition, organised by Agrobank, brought together 10 schools across Peninsular Malaysia involving neurodiverse students from the Upper Secondary Vocational Programme (PMVA) Aquaculture and the Special Education Integrated Programme (PPKI).

The event also witnessed SMK Seri Perpatih winning the Special Young Agropreneur Award, while the Special Innovation Award was presented to SMK Meranti, Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

The Aquaculture Aspire 2025 competition, rooted in corporate social responsibility (CSR), was initiated by Agrobank President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin to enhance vocational skills, nurture environmental sustainability awareness and encourage student participation in the fisheries sector.

The initiative also supports sustainable development goals including food security, quality education, marine resource conservation and terrestrial ecosystem preservation.

Agrobank collaborated with the Ministry of Education through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Division to select 10 schools in Peninsular Malaysia and install biofloc technology systems within the school compounds.

Launched at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2024, the programme emphasises practical learning, including problem-solving such as water quality management and fish fry growth, thereby integrating theory with real-world application in modern aquaculture management.

The competition provides students with opportunities to explore the use of biofloc technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), while nurturing interest in entrepreneurship, food security and innovation-based fisheries activities.

-- BERNAMA