KUALA TERENGGANU: The losses suffered by keropok keping (dried fish crackers) makers who did not have enough time to bring the product inside every time it rained has prompted a group of students to invent a system to deal with the problem.
The system called “I Best Protection Device” or i-ProD was produced by four Form Five students from SM Imtiaz Yayasan Terengganu Besut, comprising Muhammad Amzar Najmi Saharuddin, Wan Ahmad Nu’man Wan Saidi, Muhammad Imdad Abdul Salam and Muqri Syamil Aiman Mazdi Amram.
Group leader Muhammad Amzar Najmi said they took one month to come up with the i-ProD prototype at a cost of only RM49, using materials such as boxes, ice-cream sticks, skewers, rain sensors, used straws and several sensor devices.“During the monsoon season, many entrepreneurs in Terengganu were having difficulties drying the crackers due to the rain.
“By using this system, they would be able to dry the crackers more efficiently without using a lot of manpower and it can also help reduce the risk of losses,” he said when met by Bernama at the innovation exhibition held in conjunction with Yayasan Terengganu’s golden jubilee celebration officiated by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
Muhammad Amzar Najmi said according to a survey conducted on keropok keping makers, 96% of them admitted that i-ProD could be operated easily and was effective in dealing with the problem they faced over the years.
“However, installing i-ProD for industrial use can be quite expensive but it is worth it for long-term use.
“We are ready to work with any party interested in commercialising i-ProD for the market,” he added.
Apart from Besut, seven other Imtiaz secondary schools under Yayasan Terengganu also displayed innovative products at the event, namely Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Kuala Terengganu, Marang, Hulu Terengganu, Dungun and Kemaman.