Replication Seminar on Sustainable Development

KUANTAN, 27 July 2021 - MYSUN-UMP, one of the partners under an international grant co-funded by Erasmus+ Programme of European Union via a project known as Malaysia Sustainable University Campus Network (MYSUN), successfully organised a replication seminar based on training for trainers (TOT) of MYSUN project.

The seminar kicked off with a soft launch event to officiate the establishment of a sustainable office (SO) at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) named Unit Lestari, a unit operated under the Centre for Property Management and Development (PPPH) based on the approval by the UMP top management on 9 February 2021.

The establishment of Unit Lestari is an important milestone to represent UMP commitment towards becoming a sustainable campus.

The replication seminar, originally targeted for a small, engaging process with stakeholders, reached beyond the target as more than 150 participants joined the seminar.

This online seminar successfully reached the objective to introduce the networks to stakeholders and focused on UMP initiatives towards a sustainable campus.

Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rusllim Mohamed, the team leader of MYSUN-UMP, officiated the seminar by introducing the grant under a Capacity Building Higher Education (CBHE), co-funded by Erasmus+ Programme of European Union and enlightening the ongoing activities as well as future planning under the MYSUN research grant.

Ts. Mohd Nurul Akla Mohd Azlan, also a grant member of MYSUN-UMP, a senior electrical engineer and registered electrical energy manager (REEM), who stationed at the newly established Unit Lestari, started the main event by sharing his experiences on the initiatives and presented various programmes in making UMP a sustainable campus. The programmes consist of green technology initiatives, environmental preservation and conservation activities, and sustainability challenges within the UMP environment concerning the physical development, landscape and cultures.

Also present during the seminar were the Chairman of UMP Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman and UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Ts. Dr. Rosli Hainin.

The presence of the UMP top management in the seminar reflected the commitment of UMP for the continuous support to organise research, programmes and activities to ensure UMP will be recognised as a sustainable campus.

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman congratulated the MYSUN-UMP team for organising the webinar and mentioned this event should be cultivated further to increase awareness among UMP staff and students.

Tan Sri Aziz also suggested a few initiatives for the team to consider to include in the sustainable plan and affirmed UMP commitment towards achieving the target of a sustainable campus.

The suggestion, among others, is leveraging campus design to install more solar-powered on the rooftop of UMP building and utilising UMP lakes for more sustainable development activities.

Besides, Professor Ts. Dr Rosli Hainin suggested that the team consider looking for possibilities to install a mini wind turbine to harvest natural energy and use the Green University Index in the planning.

The engagement session attracted many interests and suggestions among the stakeholders, and some proposed their interest in further collaboration towards the UMP sustainability plan.

It was indeed a great and insightful session for everyone.

UMP, Road to Sustainable Campus!

By: Saharuddin Ramli, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor