Gain skills that empower you to design a sustainable and resilient future for urban dwellers
Calling all aspiring permaculture practitioners – join our internationally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course with a particular focus on the urban tropics and Singapore!
Taught by international and local experts, this immersive programme offers a blend of practical knowledge and innovative solutions aimed at transforming urban spaces into sustainable ecosystems, with particular focus on Singapore’s unique food security challenges and strong social foundation.
Our hybrid course structure is tailored to meet the needs of busy working adults, including both immersive sessions held at Tirtha Quddus, Malaysia and permaculture sites in Singapore as well as interactive virtual workshops accessible from anywhere with internet connection. This unique approach gives you access to comprehensive learning experiences, hands-on activities and expert guidance from leaders in permaculture design whilst enabling you to manage your other commitments.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your green thumb, integrate sustainability into your profession, or contribute to a healthier planet, our PDC course offers the knowledge, inspiration and network to turn your aspirations into action!
On successful completion, you will receive the PDC Certificate from the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia (PRI), and join the growing international network of certified permaculture practitioners and regenerative changemakers.
You will also be given the opportunity to be a part of our Little Farms Everywhere endeavour, to apply your skills to transform Singapore!
About Tirtha Quddus
Tirtha Quddus is a family-run permaculture farm stay and regenerative living retreat nestled on three acres of lush land in Janda Baik, Pahang, Malaysia. Founded in 2015 by Abas and Safia, a couple who transitioned from city life to cultivate a deeper connection with nature, the farm embodies a holistic approach to sustainable living and ecological stewardship. It was born from a shared vision of growing food, nurturing the earth, and creating a space where people—especially families—can reconnect with the natural world.
At its core, Tirtha Quddus is both a living demonstration of regenerative practices and a place for guests to experience sustainable lifestyle in action. The site incorporates organic food cultivation, water harvesting, low-impact conservation techniques, and eco-friendly infrastructure such as bokashi-based compost toilets that turn waste into fertile soil. Guests can participate in activities like planting, composting, permaculture workshops, and creative farm-based learning, while staying in naturally ventilated earth and bamboo-style accommodations designed with ecological sensitivity.
Beyond being a retreat, Tirtha Quddus fosters soulful connection, creativity, and community. It offers a space to slow down, appreciate nature’s rhythms, and engage thoughtfully with ecological and spiritual values. Whether through immersive farm experiences, hands-on learning, or simply enjoying the peace of the surrounding hills, the farm inspires visitors to deepen their understanding of sustainable living and embrace regeneration in their own lives.
Testimonials from PDC graduates
“I had the pleasure of attending the Permaculture Design Course in Kuala Lumpur last year, and it was an incredibly enriching experience. The course was perfectly tailored to the climate of Southeast Asia, which allowed me to directly apply the methods I learned. I found a genuine sense of belonging within the community, which was truly special. The trainers were exceptionally welcoming and humble, making the learning environment very supportive and engaging. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in permaculture.“
Thomas Charrette (PDC 2024 graduate)
“The PDC was a transformative experience. I initially joined to learn more about sustainable farming, but walked away with a whole new lens through which I view not just food systems, but the entire economic structure we live in. What stood out was how practical and locally relevant the course was for city dwellers. I especially appreciated the hands on experiences and sharing of knowledge by the passionate instructors. I now see permaculture as not just about growing food, but about redesigning how we live, work, and relate to the world around us. This course truly reshaped my worldview.”
Pearl Lim (PDC 2024 graduate)
“This permaculture course was truly eye opening. It deepened my understanding of nature’s cycles and gave me practical tools to design regenerative systems. The hands-on approach, passionate instructors, and supportive community made learning a joy. I look forward to creating positive change in my environment with this new knowledge. Whether you’re a beginner or seeking to expand your knowledge, this course offers wisdom, connection, and inspiration. I recommend it for anyone passionate about earth care.”
Jacelyn Tan (PDC 2024 graduate)
Read the LinkedIn Posts written by PDC 2025 participants here:
Day 1 at SEEDS Malaysia (22 September 2025)
Day 2 at SEEDS Malaysia (23 September 2025)
Day 3 at SEEDS Malaysia (24 September 2025)
Day 4 at SEEDS Malaysia (25 September 2025)
Day 5 at SEEDS Malaysia (26 September 2025)
Hands-on Session 1 in Singapore (4 October 2025)
Hands-on Session 2 in Singapore (11 October 2025)
Course Programme
- 5 x 8-hour days immersive and hands-on sessions at Tirtha Quddus, Malaysia – 22 to 26 June 2026
- 9 x 3-hour virtual sessions – 29 & 30 June, 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15 July 2026, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- 2 half day site survey for Final Design Exercise and hands-on sessions in Singapore – 4 & 11 July 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
- Final Design Exercise presentation – 18 or 19 July 2026 (timing to be confirmed)
- Certificate Presentation Ceremony, Singapore – 26 July 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (venue to be confirmed)
Course Fee
TCHS Members | SGD 2,200* |
Non-members | SGD 2,500* |
* 10% Early Bird Discount if you register by 30 April 2026
Course fee includes:
- Accommodation at Tirtha Quddus for the first 15 participants to register
- 3 meals and two tea breaks each day for the sessions at Tirtha Quddus
- Permaculture Research Institute (PRI) certification on satisfactory completion of the course
Refund policy:
- For cancellations before 22 May 2026, we will refund 90% of fee paid.
- For cancellations on or after 22 May 2026, there is no refund but we can accept a substitute participant.
- For cancellations on or after 15 June 2026, there is no refund and no substitute.
Other Information
Accommodation
Accommodation for the first 15 participants is included in the course fee. Participants will stay at Tirtha Quddus Farm Stay, a sustainable permaculture retreat in Janda Baik, Pahang, where nature and simple, eco-friendly living are part of the experience.
- There are two separate Bamboo Rooms available — Bamboo East and Bamboo West — each comfortably accommodating up to 8 participants. These rooms are constructed from earth brick, bamboo, and natural materials, designed to maximize ventilation with fans and fully opening windows, allowing cool mountain air and a peaceful retreat atmosphere.
- Each room offers eight single beds with cotton bed sheets, comforters, towels, basic toiletries, and Wi-Fi. Shared shower facilities, standard toilets and eco-toilets (bokashi composting toilets) are provided for a low-impact, eco-conscious stay. Guests will also enjoy healthy meals, at the communal outdoor spaces with a kitchenette, BBQ option, fire pit, a tranquil pond seating area, and common amenities like a library and games.
- Please note that accommodation is separated by gender and that the farm operates with minimal chemical usage, natural ventilation (no air-conditioning), and guidelines to preserve peace and sustainability throughout your stay.
- For more information, please visit:
https://tirthaquddus.com/accommodation/bamboo-east/
https://tirthaquddus.com/accommodation/bamboo-west/
Transport
Transport to and from Tirtha Quddus:
- We will arrange transport for Singapore-based participants who register by 22 May 2026 (cost to be advised).
- Participants who register after 22 May 2026 to make own arrangements.
About the Trainers
Lead Trainer
Salah Hammad
Salah Hammad is a globally-recognized permaculture practitioner, consultant, and educator with extensive experience in sustainable design, agroecology, and ecological systems thinking. As a Permaculture Research Institute (PRI) registered teacher and consultant, Salah plays a leading role in delivering high-impact Permaculture Design Courses (PDCs) and supporting regenerative design projects around the world.
Salah’s passion for good food started when he was volunteering to help struggling small farmers in his home countries, Palestine and Jordan. After 10 years working in the food manufacturing industry, he decided to make the transition to a more meaningful life and career in permaculture.
In 2010, Salah emigrated to Australia to deepen his commitment to this path by completing a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) with Geoff Lawton at the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia. Following his studies, he lived and worked on PRI’s Zaytuna Farm for four years — managing daily farm operations, overseeing vegetable and nursery systems, animal and compost systems, and food forests, and training volunteers and interns in integrated permaculture practices. His mentors Geoff and Nadia Lawton encouraged him into teaching and consultancy, marking the beginning of his international facilitation work.
Today, Salah divides his time between facilitating PDCs and advanced permaculture trainings, and consulting on agroecology, community-led sustainability, and regenerative landscape projects across diverse climates and regions. His work includes establishing demonstration sites that integrate permaculture design science with real-world application, even leading the development of a demonstration site in Malaysia with local and international collaborators.
Co-trainers
Irfan Mohamed
Irfan Mohamed, an acoustic engineer by profession, got his first exposure to permaculture in Australia where he used to help his sister and brother in-law on their veggie patch. He completed his PDC in 2014 and is a member of Urban Hijau’s Exco.
Since co-founding Urban Hijau in 2015, he has participated in their children’s programme, planting, weeding, collecting green waste for composting and just about anything where he can get his hands dirty. He is an avid propagator of natural farming practices and was a catalyst in the setting up of Tirtha Quddus, a permaculture farm in Janda Baik. He co-taught the PDC 2024 at Urban Hijau with Abdul Rahman McCausland. He also recently co-taught Introduction to Permaculture and Agroforestry for Petronas Foundation.
Muneeb Bin Yousuf
Muneeb Bin Yousuf has managed overall farm design, planting cycles and farm operations and has been the site manager at Urban Hijau since 2017.
He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Permaculture Research Institute of Australia, and started his journey in permaculture in 2011. He gained various experiences related to landscape planning, livestock management and community development, being part of an eco-village development team in north Malaysia.
Joining Murujan as the Programs and Events Director, Trainer and Design Consultant, he has since helped organize various Permaculture Design Certificate Courses around Malaysia and joins in to teach the sessions from time to time.
Formally educated as an Engineer (Mechatronics), he has also done his MBA (Strategic Management) and has worked with various organizations over the years.
Ashaari Rahmat
Ashaari Rahmat is an environmental practitioner, project coordinator, and permaculture design professional with over 15 years of experience in regenerative agriculture, ecological restoration, and community-based environmental education. He holds a Permaculture Design Certificate (PRI) and has worked across grassroots, institutional, and corporate settings, translating permaculture principles into practical, context-specific design solutions.
Ashaari has extensive experience in permaculture and regenerative design, including site analysis, masterplanning, soil regeneration, agroforestry, aquaponics, and nature-based solutions. As Co-Founder and General Manager of Poptani Asia, he led the design and implementation of over 30 urban farming and sustainability projects, delivering functional, user-centred designs for homes, schools, communities, and organisations. His design work focuses on creating resilient systems that integrate ecology, food production, education, and social impact.
Working at Yayasan PETRONAS, Ashaari also coordinates national environmental programmes and grants focused on community climate resilience and ecosystem restoration. He has led environmental education initiatives, supported large-scale restoration efforts, and worked closely with government agencies, NGOs, educators, and local communities. As a PDC trainer, Ashaari brings a strong design-led, systems-thinking approach, equipping participants with the skills to move from concept to implementable permaculture designs in real-world contexts.
Saqib Sheikh
Saqib Sheikh is a trainer, coach, writer, refugee advocate and urban farmer. He is a founding member of the Urban Hijau urban farm project. He completed his Permaculture Design Certificate in 2014.
He has over 10 years of experience in media relations and corporate communications and has helped train hundreds of professionals in the Asia-Pacific region to improve their written and verbal communications skills. He received his Masters in Communication from Purdue University, Indiana, USA.
Saqib is a pioneer of several groundbreaking initiatives for disruptive social change, particularly related to blockchain and the environment.
Saqib is a certified coach under the International Coach Federation, and coaches professionals and organizations to transition into their own paths towards making meaningful social impact
Alexius Yeo
Alexius Yeo graduated from The National University of Singapore and The University of North Carolina with an Honours degree in Geography. He later went on to attain the Permaculture Design Certificate in 2014 from The Permaculture Research Institute of Australia.
Alexius began his career with the National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore, as a Streetscape Manager. After gaining 3 fruitful years of experience and amazing memories, he left NParks and Singapore for the Philippines to work with the poor at the country’s first Farm University and Social Enterprise Incubator. There, he quickly fell in love with the joys of farming and landscaping edible gardens that are both beautiful and productive. Returning to Singapore, he worked with local social enterprise, Edible Garden City, to continue to build urban edible landscapes and champion Singapore’s grow-your-own-food movement.
Today, he is the Director of Carbon InQ Pte. Ltd., a local company that teaches agriculture-based experiential learning programmes at schools and corporate firms. He is also the founder of Project 33, a family-initiated farming movement that aims to unite neighbourhoods through community farming, cooking, educational activities and the practice of sharing first.
Traveling down an unusual career path as an urban farmer, Alexius is driven by the mission to help fellow urbanites reconnect with Nature and with one another. He strongly believes that everyone can have green fingers, and that it is never too late, or frivolous, to strive for food quality, purity and self-sufficiency.
This course is jointly organized by
