Pentahelix Collaboration in Aquagreen Sustainable Engineering

Abstract

The increasing global demand for sustainable solutions to environmental challenges has spurred interest in multi-stakeholder approaches such as the pentahelix collaboration. While widely promoted as a transformative pathway for sustainability, there is limited empirical evidence on its practical application in indigenous and resource-constrained contexts. Challenges such as reconciling diverse stakeholder priorities, addressing language and cultural barriers, and ensuring equitable participation often hinder effective implementation, risking the framework remaining more conceptual than operational. To explore these challenges, the Aquagreen initiative was introduced in Kampung Sungai Relang through a partnership among the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), CIMB Foundation, Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA), the Malaysia Institute of Sustainable Agriculture (MISA), and the Orang Asli community. By establishing an integrated aquaculture–hydroponics system powered by solar energy, the project provides insight into the process, considerations, and the practical challenges of translating the pentahelix approach into practice in indigenous, resource-constraint settings. Its recognition with the 2024 RCE Award for Outstanding Flagship Project by the United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) highlights its contribution to advancing collaborative sustainability initiatives in marginalised communities.