Prof. Muhammad Sadruddin Mohd. Saidfudin (Dean)

Growing up in the lush tropics of Kuala Lumpur, Sadruddin (Dean) was surrounded by nature – but over time, he witnessed alarming deforestation right in his backyard. That loss sparked a lifelong mission.

After earning his Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting & Finance) from Curtin Perth in 2006, Dean returned home and founded Planters, a conservation initiative focused on restoring biodiversity through strategic reforestation. Since 2008, Planters has helped reforest thousands of hectares across Malaysia, including sites like the National Botanic Gardens Shah Alam and HSK Relai Forest Reserve, where signs of native wildlife such as honey bears and elephants have resurfaced.

Leveraging cutting-edge SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) technology, Dean and his team are pioneering digital forest mapping to design smarter conservation strategies and improve transparency with stakeholders.

“Witnessing deforestation pushed me to act. By restoring forests, we’re not just planting trees; we’re rebuilding ecosystems and protecting our climate,” says Dean.

Beyond reforestation, Planters works closely with local communities, offering training and employment to ensure sustainable, community-driven impact.

Dean admits that starting a conservation business wasn’t easy. “One of the biggest challenges was convincing people of the long-term value of reforestation. But staying data-driven and transparent helped us build trust and grow support.”

His advice for aspiring conservationists?

“Stay passionate and patient. Nature takes time – but watching a barren land become a thriving forest is incredibly rewarding.”

Looking ahead, Dean hopes to scale Planters’ impact with AI and machine learning, and expand education programmes to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.— Prof. Muhammad Sadruddin Mohd. Saidfudin (Dean), Accounting and Finance graduate (Curtin Perth alumnus)

31 August 2025