Arts & Design

Supervisor: Dr Ng Keng Khoon

What is your team’s project about?

We implemented a net barrier as a potential solution to relieve the plastic waste management issue on the flowing waters of the Semporna kampungs in Sabah, Malaysia. Having built a net barrier underneath the bridge in Kampong Ayer, the goal was to stop the flow of tourist and local trash from flowing throughout the kampungs. Further steps are encouraged to continue on with this initiative, where efficient tools can be built to collect the accumulated trash in front of the net, or collaborate with local organizations like Borneo Komrad and Amwil to find a routine and collective project to reuse the plastic trash.

What does your team enjoy most about the IEx project?

Our partner NGO Borneo Komrad! Very nice and accommodating students and teachers who are always proactive, smart, and friendly. We're very grateful to have earned their help in designing our project and in experiencing the kampung Ayer / kampung Bangau Bangau life.

What are some challenges that you think are unique to the project?

As our project relied heavily on the physical environment of the kampungs including building and bridge structure and form, many of the design plans we had changed when we got there to implement. Small details were all measured at the spot and a lot of the preparation and design process had to be done speedily to execute the project in a sustainable and accommodative way to the village in limited time we had of the trip. We learned a lot of these details only once we got there altogether, because communication overseas across Singapore and Malaysia was tough and we collected many active feedbacks and idea from the community members once we got there that we did not have access to from abroad. 

Any specific tips about working with your team’s community?

Borneo Komrad is very nice, active, and homey, and those who like suburbs, taking things easy, and are chill with not having everything the most conveniently ready for you will find the experience of hanging out with BK students and teachers very engaging and heartwarming. But perhaps those who can't handle heat, the sun, or high humidity very well may get tired easily. There have also been food hygiene issues for some students, so it is encouraged to be aware and careful when eating. It is also encouraged to wear slightly more modestly, ideally long pants and a short-medium/long sleeve shirt. Most importantly, we hope you'd always be curious to know their way of life and daily culture, because this could be the easiest way to be culturally sensitive. 

Any fun stories to share with your juniors?

We were all so enthusiastic in design ideation that we had to use a big plastic bottle as a mic to take turns talking. It was chaotic and I'm surprised our teamwork and project worked out, but oh well, it was so intense, fire, and fun. Also there's a kway teow place in Semporna downtown that's really good.