Curtin Malaysia’s Department of Civil and Construction Engineering conducts environmental awareness programme for primary school children

Miri – 7 December 2023 – In a concerted effort to instill a sense of environmental responsibility among young minds, staff of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) conducted an awareness program for primary school children at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Baram 2 near here recently.

The programme was spearheaded by Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Dr. Tony Hadibarata, in line with Curtin’s vision to make a difference for people and our planet through partnership. The programme focused on essential environmental practices, specifically rainwater harvesting and waste management.

“Curtin Malaysia is committed to fostering environmental awareness and sustainable practices in the local community. Through this awareness programme, we aim to instil a sense of responsibility and awareness of sustainable environment practices in the younger generation. By engaging students in practical activities, the programme seeks to empower them with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable living,” said Dr. Hadibarata.

With the support of corporate partners ADA Enterprise and Weida Integrated Industries Sdn. Bhd., the department successfully installed rainwater harvesting facilities at the school located in a rural area about 25 kilometres from Miri City. Dr. Hadibarata said this initiative aims to address water conservation and sustainable practices while providing tangible solutions for the school and its community.

Civil and construction engineering lecturer Dr. Paran Anak Gani subsequently gave the children a talk on the benefits of rainwater harvesting and the importance of maintaining a sustainable source of clean water in daily life.

“We truly appreciate the support of our corporate partners in these efforts, working together to inspire the younger generation to preserve water sources and reduce pollution. This initiative will not only impact daily life at SK Kuala Baram 2 but the rain harvesting facilities will also serve as an educational tool for the children to understand the importance of sustainable water practices,” said Dr. Paran.

Another academic from the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Dr. Muhammad Noor Hazwan Bin Jusoh, delivered an insightful talk on waste management and composting for the children. His expertise shed light on the importance of responsible waste disposal and the benefits of composting in reducing environmental impact.

He also offered a practical solution for the school where food wastes from the school canteen can be used for composting. To kickstart the project, the children were provided compost bags and soil and Dr. Muhammad Noor Hazwan guided them through the process, emphasisng the significance of composting in reducing waste and preserving the environment.

“By allowing them to actively engage in the composting process at their school, we are not only educating but empowering the youngsters, fostering a practical understanding of their role in environmental sustainability,” said Dr. Muhammad Noor Hazwan.

Meanwhile, headmaster of SK Kuala Baram 2, Mohammad Bin Kindang, expressed gratitude to the staff of the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering for their efforts.

“We appreciate the contribution of the university and its partners to the well-being of our school community, and their commitment to cultivating a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who will become future stewards of the environment,” he said.

“By reaching out to primary school children, Curtin Malaysia’s Department of Civil and Construction Engineering is sowing the seeds for a greener, more sustainable future.”

Curtin Malaysia, the largest global campus of Curtin University, Western Australia, is located in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. It is committed to providing high-quality education and impactful research, contributing to the development of the region and beyond.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Headmaster Mohammad and Associate Professor Hadibarata (2nd & 3rd from left) pose for group photo with the community at SK Kuala Baram 2.

The school children engaging in the food waste composting activity.

Teachers and children of SK Kuala Baram 2 preparing food waste for composting.

Introducing the school children to rainwater harvesting practices.