eGREENi@Campus: Driving Sustainable Innovation and Environmental Stewardship

The University of Technology MARA (UiTM) Perak campus recently hosted the “Soft Launch of eGREENi @Campus” program, a project aimed at promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability. The initiative, organized by Unit 4: GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION, aimed to consolidate and coordinate all green initiative activities on campus, including solar charging hubs, rainwater harvesting systems, Green Roofs, Kelulut (stingless honey bees) farms, and MK Land. The program aimed to promote eco-friendly practices, empower student innovation, and foster community engagement. It also focused on academic and student development, educating students about sustainability, fostering their innovation, and engaging them in practical projects. The program is not just an event but a testament to the potential of collective action and innovation in addressing environmental challenges. UiTM Perak is nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who understand the value of green initiatives, sustainable practices, and active community engagement. The initiative serves as a beacon of hope and an example of how higher education institutions can be at the forefront of positive change.

Biodiversity Beyond books: Al-Bukhari Library of UiTM Pahang Leaps into Citizen Science

UiTM Pahang held a programme called “Khazanah Alam Campus Challenge,” from 27th October to 10th November 2023. The idea behind this challenge is citizen science, which is a voluntary involvement of non professional scientists in collaborative scientific research projects. The focus of the challenge was on biodiversity and environmental awareness. This event served as a platform to highlight the significant impact academic libraries have in promoting scientific literacy and research. The objectives of the challenge were to raise awareness of the importance of citizen science among the UiTM Pahang community and the public. Furthermore, this effort aimed to increase the visibility of Al-Bukhari Library in the field of Citizen Science in Biodiversity. A collaborative effort between the University Malaya Sustainability and Development Centre (UMSDC), the Faculty of Plantation & Agrotechnology, ORBID (Organization Biodiversity Club), and the Al-Bukhari Library at UiTM Pahang resulted in this programme. Through its initiatives to promote biodiversity education research and environmental awareness, this challenge contributes to the advancement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

This program promotes a deeper understanding and engagement with these SDG goals. Participants of this programme were trained to gain skills to document and observe biodiversity using citizen science technologies. Following the training, 52 observers and 117 identifiers conducted an exploration project in Sri Gading Camp to document a diverse range of species. The noteworthy results of the “Khazanah Alam Campus Challenge” were demonstrated by the collection of 997 observations and the identification of 499 distinct species.

34 UiTM Students Experienced the Life of Felda Settlers

The Institute of Young Leaders, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam in collaboration with the Felda Lok Heng Civil Community organized a Community Service Operation Program (OPKIM) on 10 September 2023. This program involved a total of 34 UiTM students, 15 foster families and Felda Lok Heng community. This program has achieved two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) namely Quality Education and Sustainable Cities and Communities as well as two Performance Indicators (PI) of the Student Affairs Division, namely the number of volunteering programs (PI028) and the number of programs related to emotional well-being (PI039). The main objective of the program is to give students the opportunity to experience and learn the social life of the rural community with their respective foster families. Students were exposed to the management process of palm oil plantations, starting from harvesting of palm oil to taking care of the palm oil itself. This is in line with responding to the call of the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) in student empowerment to realize the objective of UiTM to produce graduates who are ready to serve at the global level. Through Globally Renowned University (GRU) 2025, UiTM focuses on the value of performance through talent 6.0 (IR 6.0) to ensure UiTM remains relevant at the national and global level.

UiTM Selangor Branch Winner of the National Level 2023 Dengue-Free IPT Competition

On 15th October 2023, UiTM Selangor was declared winner of two awards; the Overall Winner and the Best Dengue Management Award at the 2023 National Dengue-Free Higher Education Institution (IPT) Award competition. The results of the competition were announced at the National Level MyCHAMPION@KKM Convention.

UiTM Selangor has established a special team called the Dengue-Free UCS Task Force for this competition. The team has a unique membership from various service scheme classifications from UD (medical officer), N scheme (administration and support) J scheme (engineering), W scheme (finance), faculty research team and student association. UiTM Selangor has also introduced a dengue control program at campus level with the D-Guard brand to prevent an increase in dengue fever cases. It is a burst of innovative ideas that combine micro and macro control elements to deal with the issue of dengue fever at Puncak Alam Campus and Puncak Perdana Campus, UiTM Selangor. The D-Guard project involves 2 main components which are the micro control method, using a tool called Abate Dispenser. For the macro control method, MosquiBuster which is a formulation using organic substances to ‘attract and kill’ adult mosquitoes has been used.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/uitm-cawangan-selangor-johan-pertandingan-ipt-bebas-denggi-peringkat-kebangsaan-2023/

Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor for Top of Line Corrosion Mitigation In Marginal Sour Environment

The project titled “Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) for Top of Line Corrosion Mitigation in Marginal Sour Environments,” conducted by a UiTM researcher, focuses on developing advanced solutions to prevent corrosion in harsh industrial settings. By utilizing VCIs, the project aims to protect critical infrastructure, such as pipelines and storage tanks, from corrosion, particularly in environments with sour gases like hydrogen sulphide. This work is directly aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as it enhances the resilience and longevity of urban and industrial infrastructure. Effective corrosion mitigation reduces the need for frequent maintenance and repairs, leading to a more sustainable management of infrastructure and minimizing the risk of environmental contamination. By improving the durability of essential systems, this project supports the creation of safer, more sustainable communities, ensuring that urban environments are better equipped to handle the challenges of industrial development.

Development of Evocity Applications by Micro Industrial Hub (MIH)

The Micro Industrial Hub at UiTM BITCOM has launched the “Development of Evocity Applications” project to advance small-scale industrial ventures and foster sustainable urban development, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. This initiative focuses on creating innovative applications designed to improve urban efficiency and quality of life. By integrating cutting-edge technology into urban management, the project aims to enhance various aspects of city living, such as transportation, waste management, and energy use. The Evocity Applications will provide practical solutions to urban challenges, making cities more resilient and sustainable. Through the Micro Industrial Hub, UiTM BITCOM offers essential support, including technical expertise and resources, to help entrepreneurs develop and deploy these applications effectively. This initiative not only promotes technological innovation but also contributes to the creation of smarter, more sustainable urban environments.

Health and Well-Being of the Elderly Community in Urban Areas

The Community, Industry and Alumni Network Unit, ICAN, has collaborated with Building Surveying, College of Natural Studies, UiTM Shah Alam and Pertubuhan Minda Progresif, a non-governmental organization, to carry out a community programme to address health and well-being problems in among the elderly and the poor in the city of Subang Jaya on 2nd September 2023. 70 people attended this programme to undergo free health screening and listen to a lecture session on the importance of health and well-being. This health screening has made participants aware of their physical and mental health levels at that time, namely in terms of blood pressure, blood sugar content, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and mental health. The lecture was divided into two sessions.

The first talk was titled “Breaking the silence: Empowering mental health conversation” and the second lecture, “Turning to history: Al-Bakhi and stress management in life”, depicted the influence of the soul on physical health. Overall, this program has been successful in raising awareness of mental and physical health that leads to the well-being of life for the elderly as well as other community members in urban areas. Apart from this effort, UiTM Shah Alam has also planned to work with government agencies and private companies in the future to draw up more effective community program plans, in order to further improve the health and well-being of the elderly and the poor in urban areas.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/program-prihatin-masalah-kesihatan-dan -kesejahteraan-masyarakat-warga-emas-di-kawasan-bandar/

The Rural Empowerment and Community Help (Reach) Carnival

The Rural Empowerment and Community Help (REaCH) carnival, held on 10th June 2023, at Kampung Pulau Manis, Kuala Terengganu, was organized by Yayasan TM in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The event aimed to enhance awareness, knowledge, and skills among rural communities to achieve social and economic stabilization, environmental sustainability, and overall community well-being, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The carnival, attended by over 600 villagers featured activities such as the inauguration of a community garden and recycling centres, plogging runs, thematic talks on environmental conservation, and a ‘Waste to Art’ exhibition. These initiatives aimed to promote biodiversity preservation, sustainable resource management, climate change awareness, and recycling. Additionally, the event included an Entrepreneurship Incentive Award ceremony to recognize participants from a previous entrepreneurship course, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of small and medium enterprises and improving the socioeconomic status of local entrepreneurs. The success of the REaCH program was made possible by the support and collaboration of the Kuala Terengganu City Council, the Department of Agriculture, SW Corp Kuantan, and GM Peladang Sdn Bhd, all contributing to the promotion of people and environmental sustainability.

A Course on Basic Home Maintenance for Participants from an Indigenous Group 152880

This course was fully funded by the Sime Darby Foundation and was conducted by UiTM Perak at Kampung Tumboh Hangat. This basic home maintenance course aims to empower the Orang Asli community by providing them with essential skills to maintain and repair their homes. The program focused on practical knowledge, such as basic plumbing, electrical work, and structural repairs, enabling participants to independently manage and upkeep their living environment. This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by promoting sustainable housing practices and enhancing the resilience of rural communities. By equipping the Orang Asli with these skills, the project contributes to the creation of safe, inclusive, and sustainable living conditions and reducing their reliance on external services. This empowerment fosters self-sufficiency and strengthens the overall well-being of the community as well as ensuring they can maintain a safe and habitable living environment.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/kursus-asas-penyelenggaraan-rumah-kepada -komuniti-orang-asli/#:~:text=KURSUS%20ASAS%20PENYELENGGARAAN%20 RUMAH%20KEPADA%20KOMUNITI%20ORANG%20ASLI,-09%2F11%2F2023&text =Kursus%20yang%20dibiayai%20sepenuhnya%20oleh,Orang%20Ramai%20Kg%20 Tumboh%20Hangat

Green Campus Sustainability Festival at UiTM Perak

UiTM Perak’s Green Campus Sustainability Festival (FKKH), which took place from 25th May to 8th July 2024, presented various activities that supported SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. This festival aimed to raise awareness and empower sustainable action among campus residents and the local community. Among activities held during the festival was the launch of the E-Scooter and E-Scooter Rangers Programme. These programmes encouraged the use of environmentally friendly personal transportation, reduced carbon emissions, and promoted safety on campus through proper usage training. Other programmes like the 3R programme emphasized recycling practices, increased environmental awareness and education, and involved the community in practicing a sustainable lifestyle. In addition, a programme to foster social involvement through volunteer activities to help the elderly at Rumah Seri Kenangan, was also included. A flea market was also held to encourage businesses and communities to practice sustainability in their operations. ICIC 2023, organized by the Student Representative Council, acted as a platform to spark innovation, promoting the development of more sustainable products and services, which ultimately reduced the negative impact on the environment. This was in line with the SDG 11 goal to develop inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.

UiTM Secures Major Funding for Pioneering Smart Mobility Autonomous Transport Network

Researchers from UiTM Shah Alam, led by Prof. Ir Ts. Dr Juliana Johari, have secured major funding from NanoMalaysia Berhad for a pioneering project on “Smart Mobility Autonomous Transport Network.” Running from May 2023 to September 2024, this project focused on developing advanced vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) systems to enhance urban transportation.

Collaborating between the School of Electrical Engineering and the school of Mechanical Engineering, the team will develop and test the system at UiTM Shah Alam, with deployment planned at MRANTI. The project aligns with the Malaysia Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (MySTIE) framework and supports the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation’s (MOSTI) policies, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11): Sustainable Cities and Communities.

By advancing autonomous transport technology, this initiative aims to create safer, more efficient urban environments, revolutionizing local transportation. Prof. Juliana Johari highlighted the project’s potential to significantly impact urban mobility, making cities more sustainable and resilient.

UiTM Organized Librarian Orientation Program for Padang Jawa National School

Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Perdana campus through the College of Computing, Informatics and Mathematics (KPPIM) has successfully organized the ‘Empowering the Potential of School Resource Center Librarians’ program at Padang Jawa National School, Shah Alam. This programme involved 10 school librarians and students from the Bachelor of Information Science (Honours) Library Management program acting as program facilitators. Participants were given exposure to the relationship between libraries, librarians, and books. This exposure aims to increase students’ understanding of their duties and responsibilities as school librarians. As preparation for this orientation program, representatives from KPPIM Information Science Studies have collaborated with the school’s administration and academics. This careful approach shows UiTM’s high commitment in building an effective learning experience that has an impact on the stakeholders involved. This orientation program has a big impact and it gives a positive influence to the participants.

The KPPIM SULAM (Service-Learning Malaysia-University for Society) 2023/2024 program is one of the initiatives that aims to empower and serve the community through volunteer activities. Graduates are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge practically and see how the knowledge gained can improve the standard of living of the local community. Such activities not only bring a positive impact to the community, but also support the aspirations of the Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 11, which are Quality Education and Sustainable Cities and Communities. It also supports the Government’s aspirations to form a Civil Society.

UiTM is committed to implement the low carbon cities framework program focusing on five GHG reduction elements: energy, mobility, waste, water; and greenery and water bodies. UiTM carbon commitment is to reduce 45% emission intensity by 2030 from the baseline year 2015. A city-based approach is chosen for the whole campus with special projects of performance-based approach for selected buildings. Various initiatives are outlined in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through sustainable campus practices, green governance and ecosystem; and university-community linkages and partnerships for the goals. A carbon management plan is underway to enable UiTM to be Malaysia’s best Low Carbon Public University Model by 2030, while also striving for carbon-neutrality.

https://news.uitm.edu.my/uitm-menganjurkan-program-orientasi-pustakawan-bagi-sekolah-kebangsaan-padang-jawa/

UiTM Commits to Low Carbon City 2030 Challenge

UiTM is committed to implement the low carbon cities framework program focusing on five GHG reduction elements: energy, mobility, waste, water; and greenery and water bodies. UiTM carbon commitment is to reduce 45% emission intensity by 2030 from the baseline year 2015. A city-based approach is chosen for the whole campus with special projects of performance-based approach for selected buildings. Various initiatives are outlined in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through sustainable campus practices, green governance and ecosystem; and university-community linkages and partnerships for the goals. A carbon management plan is underway to enable UiTM to be Malaysia’s best Low Carbon Public University Model by 2030, while also striving for carbon-neutrality.

Smart Campus Initiative: UiTM’s Mobile Apps for a Connected and Sustainable Community

Digital access has revolutionized education and university services, fostering mobility and borderless information sharing. To stay competitive, embracing and integrating digital culture is crucial. UiTM supports this through its new mobile applications initiative, a key component of the UiTM Digital Campus project, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. This initiative incorporates convenient features like QR codes, accessible via common devices, to enhance user experience. It simplifies access to a range of services, from academic resources and administrative functions to library services. By providing seamless and hassle-free access, the initiative improves user engagement and operational efficiency. This advancement supports a more connected and user-friendly campus environment, contributing to the development of a smart and sustainable university community. The initiative underscores the importance of digital innovation in creating efficient, inclusive, and resilient infrastructure, key aspects of SDG 11. It reflects a commitment to enhancing urban environments through technology, making services more accessible and efficient, and preparing UiTM to excel in a digital future.

https://ppii.uitm.edu.my/images/MobileApps/UiTMDigitalCampusProfile.pdf