Negeri Sembilan, 13 May 2026 – The National Agricultural and Food Engineering Convention 2026 (NAFEC2026), held from 12 to 13 May 2026 at Klana Resort, Negeri Sembilan, brought together researchers, academics, government agencies, and industry players in the field of agricultural and food engineering.

The prestigious convention, organised by the Malaysian Society of Agricultural and Food Engineers (MSAE) in collaboration with various academic institutions and industry agencies, saw the participation of 93 research poster presenters from across the country. Among the institutions and agencies involved were Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (LGM), and FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV).

The School of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), also recorded a proud participation by submitting five research poster entries. The USM team consisted of Dr Mohamad Ikhwan Zaini Ridzwan, Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Zhafran Ahmad Mazlan, Dr Inzarulfaisham Abd Rahim, Ir Dr Mohd Syakirin Rusdi, and Ir Ts Dr Muhammad Hafiz Hassan, under the leadership of the Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering, Associate Professor Dr Abdullah Aziz Saad.

In the poster presentation competition, Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Zhafran Ahmad Mazlan won a silver medal, while Ir Ts Dr Muhammad Hafiz Hassan achieved outstanding success by securing a gold medal and the Special Innovation Award for his research titled “Smart SolDry Home: An IoT-Monitored Enclosed System for Enhanced Cowhide Drying Efficiency.”

This achievement reflects the commitment of the School of Mechanical Engineering, USM, in producing high-impact research that not only emphasises technological innovation but also benefits the community and the nation’s agri-food industry. The Smart SolDry Home project, for instance, introduces a closed-system cowhide drying process monitored via IoT to improve efficiency, hygiene, and process control.

The organisation of NAFEC2026 serves as an important platform in strengthening collaboration between academic institutions, government agencies, and industry players. In addition to being a venue for sharing the latest research findings, the convention also supports the development of more sustainable, efficient, and competitive technologies to strengthen the national agri-food sector.

It is hoped that this achievement will serve as a catalyst for more social and technological innovations from USM that can benefit society and be further expanded in the future.