Go Green Cycling, campus-greening initiative

PEKAN, 24 October 2021 - The Go Green Cycling Programme with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) organised by Yayasan UMP recently demonstrated the importance of healthcare through cycling activities on campus and as the best practice in an effort to support the campus-greening agenda.

The cycling, which was led by the Chairman of the UMP Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman with a distance of 1.9 kilometres, was also joined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) who acts as the Vice-Chancellor of UMP, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin and the top management of UMP.

The programme, joined by 40 staff members, started from the Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery Building to Rimba Lestari UMP.

The cycling also managed to reduce carbon dioxide production by 188 kg.

This green technology practice can also minimise environmental degradation, conserve energy and natural resources, and promote the use of renewable energy.

According to Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz, the campus-greening initiatives also include tree-planting zones, forest zones and open areas to be planted with natural plants.

“Currently, a total of 27.5 per cent of the area has been gazetted as a green area within the campus to create a pleasant and shady atmosphere, and subsequently can reduce global warming.

“UMP, in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) and other NGOs, is also actively planting trees in UMP including aromatic and medicinal crops, native species, fast-growing species, species that provide shade and also trees that can grow in natural coastal ecosystems up to 7,000 saplings,” he said.

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz was also briefed on the development of Rimba Lestari, wakaf huts and UMP green areas by Senior Manager, Centre for Property Management and Development (PPPH), Ernie Nurazlin Lizam and engineer, Mohd. Nurulakla Mohd. Azlan.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Design and Innovation of Technology (PRInT) is running a UMP Rimba Lestari product development grant project Smart Irrigation System using a start-up fund of RM38,000 to develop technology pertaining to the use of groundwater supply sources and catchment ponds or lake water to ensure that crops have an adequate water supply.

Rimba Lestari 1 is a collaborative project between UMP and FRIM and located between the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology (FTKEE), Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA) and Faculty of Manufacturing and Mechatronics Engineering (FTKPM) buildings.

There are wakaf huts here equipped with basic solar system technology.

This system is used to power 18W LED lights and users can charge their phones.

It is also equipped with a VRLA battery, which is a battery used by the solar system and can last up to five years.
The solar wakaf hut can produce approximately 1.3 kW of energy per day for the use of this wakaf, equivalent to a reduction of 1 kg of CO2 a day.

To date, there are 20 wakaf huts in UMP Gambang and Pekan that have been equipped with solar systems.

Students can use the facilities here and cross the trail in Rimba Lestari while enjoying the beauty of nature.

The sustainable campus plan developed by UMP will provide a campus-style living experience to UMP residents.

It also involves sustainable development and green facilities, conservation of energy and water resources, green campuses, efficient transportation, organic, inorganic and scheduled waste management, sustainable technology, and safe campuses.

Also taking place is the prelaunch of Tour De Pahang 900 km Cycling in celebration of UMP’s 20th Anniversary Celebration and Tok Gajah Virtual Challenge which is one of the efforts by Yayasan UMP to raise money for each fund and endowment to help students and the community.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology