The words of his grandfather echoed to Dr Elexson Nillian in one of the minority ethnic tribes ‘Cebup’ language — “Tik Lan Lan, Bawak-bawak ta’ang rah, Nawai muli ngedian lebu itam, Mejoh kiik mecai ke dayah” — which translates to “Do your best, be proud amongst other races, but always remember to return to your roots, and keep going forward.”
Today, Elexson brings upon these words, which soared deeply within him, to his surrounding community where he aims to give back as he has received.
Over the years after being the first ‘Cebup’ to hold a PhD in Food Safety, he has continuously contributed his expertise in his field to the state’s food security agenda, either through his work as a lecturer and a researcher, and also towards his village — Long Selapun.
In a recent interview with Sarawak Tribune, Elexson was conferred the title of Associate Professor for the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Faculty of Resource Science and Technology. Recently, his research and innovation findings, alongside his PhD students, has successfully founded the Novel bacteriophage patented under the name EniLVp01 and EniLVp02.
The biocontrol agent benefits the aquaculture industries in Malaysia as 60 per cent of the production of shrimps was seeing a decline due to bacteria — Vibriosis. The newly founded bacteriophage can be used to control and treat bacterial infections in seafood cultivation, food, and food processes.
Through this breakthrough discovery, his contribution ensures the thriving ecosystem of our local biodiversity, as well as in the global perspective. Simultaneously, the discovery also provides a great potential to be explored.
Furthermore, while he is working on his successful scientific patents, he is also cultivating a coffee plantation in his village by ensuring the plantation thrives in order to elevate the socio-economy of the villagers at Long Selapun, Baram.
Funded by Yayasan Hasanah, under Elexson’s guidance, the coffee project has resulted in a good income for the villagers, whereby they could earn more than RM 1,000 per harvest by selling a minimum weight of 40 kilogrammes or more of green (raw) coffee beans.
“The coffee plantation project has gone a long way since it started five years ago. Many of the villagers earned well by selling the harvested beans,” he said.
His goals in five years
The food scientist, Elexson shares his vision for the upcoming five years — “I want to leave a legacy, something tangible, that even if I am not here, my legacy remains. As my focus is on food safety and food innovation, I opened a food-based development laboratory focusing on food analysis.”
The associate professor assisted in establishing an ‘Accelerator Programme’ at the faculty which comprises of a six-month programme beyond teaching and learning, whereby the lecturer participating will be conducting a business.
Apart from that, he hopes to see his village becoming an education hub for coffee bean plantations with the potential of ecotourism.
“Then, there will be more job opportunities for the villagers beyond farming, so that their socio-economy and income will improve further.”
As he is focused on the three agenda mentioned above, Elexson is steadfast of the need to balance his priorities in life as a lecturer and researcher. At this moment, under his faculty, he provides courses such as Food Safety Industry Management, Food Entrepreneurship Skills, and several other programmes related to food management.
Being an ethnic minority group of Sarawak, the Cebup born and raised, Elexson is fully committed to doing community work for his people and village — as a tribute to his late grandfather who was the village head.
“I always thought that the most important thing about my achievements is how to help others through it. Why should I keep it to myself when I can contribute to the community? What I am today is because many have assisted me throughout my journey,” he shared.
Grandpa’s words
As a head village in the olden days, Elexson’s late grandfather helped many villagers within the community of Cebup living in Long Selapun.
“He would always advise me to give back, to help people,” he said, remembering what his late grandfather had told him.
“I was thinking, finally, I’ve achieved an accomplishment; I can return to the village to help uplift the situation and the living conditions of the community and the village,” he added.
As Elexson expressed his gratitude and joy for the recent promotion granted to him by UNIMAS, he gave thanks to God and counted his blessings as he listed down ways to give back to others.
“Whatever that is installed for me in the future, I will do my best,” he concluded.
