Curtin Sarawak marks Earth Day 2013 with series of activities

Miri – 10 May 2013 – The Curtin Environmental Club (CEC) of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently organised a series of activities in conjunction with Earth Day 2013 with the support of the university’s student council and Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC).

Among the events was an environmental exhibition themed ‘Understand Green’ at the university’s Harry Perkins Lecture Theatre. It was launched by Curtin Sarawak’s Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Ian Kerr.

In his speech during the launch, Professor Kerr encouraged students and staff of the university to play their part in creating a more sustainable future by adopting environmentally friendly practices in their daily lives. He praised the CEC for demonstrating a great passion and love for the environment and actively organising environmental activities such as the exhibition.

“Through such activities, you can take the passion of Earth Day and infuse it into the everyday lives of individuals, educate our young people about the environment, help minimise any negative effects on the environment, and help preserve the earth for future generations,” he said.

Also present were Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Ching and Corporate Communications Manager Nicholas Leong, who is chairman of the ESC.

Han Yi Chiew, president of the CEC, said the exhibition involved some 100 students representing various clubs on campus such as the Curtin Oratory and Debating Society (CODES), Curtin University Engineers Club (CUTEC), Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Student Branch of Curtin Sarawak, Chemical Engineering Student Club (CESC), Curtin Civil Society, Curtin University Mechanical Engineering Club (CUMEC), Curtin Geology Club and Curtin Tzu Chi Foundation Youth Association Club. Two non-governmental organisations, namely Piasau Animals Welfare Support (PAWS) and Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Miri Branch, also participated.

They showcased renewable energy kits, clean chemical energy, microalgae wastewater treatment, eco-friendly concrete, environment-related machinery and applied geology. The Malaysian Nature Society, Miri Branch and PAWS, meanwhile, promoted their ongoing activities and community projects.

Prior to the launch, there was a ‘Cycling to Campus’ campaign under which students and staff living in the vicinity of Curtin Sarawak rode bicycles to the campus instead of driving or commuting by bus. Many saw it as an opportunity not only to convey a message about environmental preservation but also as a healthy activity.

Immediately after the launch, a tree planting ceremony was held where a number of fruit trees were planted with the aim of further greening the campus and attracting more birds, particularly hornbills, to the campus. The campus, with its gardens, man-made lakes and vast surrounding wetlands, is already a sanctuary for a wide variety of indigenous and migratory birds.

This was followed by an environmental awareness talk by Curtin Sarawak Research Institute (CSRI) research fellow Dr. Merlin Franco Francis, a debate organised by CODES, screening of environmental videos, music and song performances with environmental themes, as well as the sale of vegetarian food and drinks and reusable bottles and containers.

According to Han, the objective of the events was to educate the campus community of over 3,500 students and over 400 staff on the importance of protecting the earth. He added that the CEC has successfully carried out a number of events over the past year thanks to the support of the university management, the ESC, student council and other student organisations.

The Curtin Sarawak’s environmental mission is to proactively encourage and pursue initiatives to improve the global environment, and the initiatives should be consistent with good business practices and always focus on student and staff satisfaction and the long-term sustainability of the university, the education industry, and the local community.

Professor Ian Kerr giving his speech.

Students visiting the exhibition booths.

(L-R) Nicholas Leong, Prof Ian Kerr and Nicholas Ching planting guava tree while CEC members and exhibition participants look on.