UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
The Living Classroom Beside Block D: UTAR’s Horticulture Shed [Last updated: 31 October 2025]
Ever wondered what it feels like to grow your own crops, manage living ecosystems, or see science come alive before your eyes? At Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), the Faculty of Science Horticulture Shed turns classroom theories into real-world experience, right beside the faculty building (Block D)!

Agricultural Biotechnology students practicing plant propagation at the UTAR Horticulture Shed. 
A wide range of shade and humidity-loving plants such as Asplenium, Begonia, Selaginella and Strobilanthes adding a touch of color to the Horticulture Shed. 
Aquascapes and terrariums managed by passionate students in the UTAR Horticulture shed.
Agriculture and Food Science society members growing and selling their own fruits and vegetables using the dedicated plots at the UTAR Horticulture shed.
Where Science meets the soil

In science, nothing beats hands-on learning. That’s why our Horticulture Shed was created to give Agricultural Science, Biotechnology and Biological Science students the chance to get their hands dirty, and their minds inspired. Here, you’ll learn to manage crops, fruits, and ornamental plants, and even explore the wonders of:

  • Composting and soil enrichment
  • Mushroom fruiting
  • Stingless bee keeping
  • Aquascaping and mini-ecosystem design
  • Sustainable vegetable and fruit cultivation

Spanning over 2,040 m² of open area, this “living classroom” lets students experiment, innovate, and apply what they’ve learned in real time, and putting their theoretical skills to the test.

Growing since 2016

Established in 2016, the Horticulture Shed is informally led by Assistant Professor Dr. Tan Ji (✉︎ jtan@utar.edu.my) from the Department of Agriculture and Food Science. Over the years, it has evolved into a vibrant hub supporting:

  • Academic classes and laboratory sessions
  • Final-year projects and student research
  • Consultancy and community projects
  • Workshops and exhibitions
  • Even campus landscaping and conservation efforts

From experimenting with hydroponic systems to learning how to propagate ornamentals, every activity helps students develop valuable skills sought after in agriculture, biotechnology, and environmental careers.
Small-scale farming by students. Harvested plants were sold to UTAR staff and students.
Sun and humidity-loving plants in the UTAR Horticulture shed, including a wide range of Begonia, ferns and Nepenthes pitcher plants. 
Dr. Clement Wong from the Department of Agriculture and Food Science (DAFS) guiding students on the transplantation and culture of cucumber.
A Final Year Project accessing the effect of compost and fertilizer on the growth performance okra plants.

A Mini-Farm with a big mission

Sustainability is at the core of all activities at the Horticulture Shed, echoing UTAR’s strong commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values. The shed practices zero-pesticide and zero-herbicide cultivation, promoting a naturally balanced ecosystem teeming with biodiversity.

Students and visitors can often spot ladybugs, butterflies, frogs, and beneficial insects, all working together in harmony. It’s not just a learning space; it’s an ecosystem in action.

UTAR Agricultural Science students practicing the Baggie Method to propagate Nepenthes pitcher plants.
Cracked aquariums in the Horticulture Shed are repurposed into terrariums and peludariums, which are often used as displays during Faculty activities. 
The diverse and stunning plants at the UTAR Horticulture Shed are frequently showcased during Faculty or University events, and are also sold to generate revenue.  
Agricultural Science students (now amazing graduates) Mr. Wan Fuh and Mr. Jian Hong showcasing and selling an extensive range of plants during the UTAR Nature Fun Walk event. 
Low tech and low-maintenace tanks set up in the UTAR Horticulture Shed. These offer extracurricular opportunities for students to pick up new knowledge and skills.
Part of the Horticulture Shed is shaded by trees, while some are exposed to the sun. This setup helps students understand the importance of choosing the right microhabitats for different plants. 
The UTAR Horticulture Shed also serves as an important platform to propagate valuable plants such as the extinct-in-the-wild Begonia rajah, exposing students to the importance of biodiversity and conservation. 
Strikingly vibrant pitchers of a Nepenthes x hookeriana abundant at the Horticulure Shed, a carnivorous plants with an evolutionary pathway so different from typical plants. 
En. Haizad and En. Shamsuriyadi from Perak Meliponiculture Entrepreneurs demonstrating how honey is extracted from honey pots at the Horticulture Shed during the UTAR Agritech 2025 event on stingless bees.
A closer look at the entrance to the hive of stingless bees species Tetragonula testaceitaris.
The shaded areas of the UTAR Horticulture Shed provided a conducive environment for mushroom cultivation, leading to the allocation of a small chamber for basic practical classes and experiments involving mushrooms. 
UTAR Agricultural Science students learn the entire process of mushroom farming in the Agricultural Biotechnology course. This involves fungal isolation, pure culture establishment, substrate preparation, mycelial running to fructification and harvesting
Platycerium Staghorn ferns mounted on trees nearby the UTAR Horticulture Shed during a sharing session by an enthusiast. 
The Horticulture Shed has an entirely different vibe at night, but beautiful, nonetheless.  

Explore the biodiversity here

From vibrant flower plots to buzzing beehives, the Horticulture Shed is a living gallery of life sciences. A photo gallery showcasing these tiny yet amazing world thriving right here on campus is coming soon, so please stay tune!

Start your journey towards a rewarding agricultural career

If you’re passionate about sustainable farming, food security, and caring for the environment, UTAR’s Agricultural Science programme is your pathway to a future-proof and meaningful career. Don’t just take our word for it – come and meet us during our University Open Days or career fairs. You can also visit our UTAR Kampar campus to explore the facilities and talk to our experts in person to see what makes this programme special.

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Tan Ji

Dr. Tan Ji (✉︎ jtan@utar.edu.my) is an assistant professor of the Department of Agricultural and Food Science (DAFS) with over a decade of teaching and research experience. His research focus is on seaweed taxonomy and biotechnology. He is also experienced in arachnology, microbiology, fungi- and horticulture. Beyond the academia, Dr. Tan is a professional photographer and SEO enthusiast, driven by his motto "In pursuit of passion and knowledge". 

*This article is created and maintained by Tan Ji. AI is partially used in research and proofreading.