Curtin Sarawak staff and students discuss environmental issues

Miri – 10 June, 2009 – Some 80 staff and students of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) got together to discuss global and local environmental issues during one of the university’s regular ‘Curtin Corner’ forums for staff and students recently.

The forum themed ‘What we at Curtin Sarawak can do for the environment’ featured three speakers from the university with backgrounds in environmental studies and initiatives – Mitrabinda Singh, a lecturer in marketing and management; Dr Tang Fu Ee, senior lecturer in civil and construction engineering and coordinator of the Engineering First Year (EFY) programme, and corporate communications manager Nicholas Leong.

Mitrabinda, who teaches about the environment and sustainability in her marketing and management course and whose research interests include crisis control and sustainable strategies, as well as food security in the national interest, talked about the causes and effects of pollution, particularly the hazards of toxic waste and greenhouse gases generated by industry and other economic activities. She gave examples of where and why waste and emissions are generated and how those causes can be avoided or minimised through cleaner production technologies that make more efficient use of materials and processes.

Stressing the importance of greening the economy and proactive environmental strategies, she said, “Greening the economy is about saving the economy and saving the planet. Society, the environment and the economy are inter-linked and any negative developments in one will affect the other. We see the negative impact of pollution all over the world, and even here in Malaysia. We need to act now, and act fast.”

Dr Tang said that in the course of the twentieth century, which has seen an unparalleled growth in knowledge, in research and in their diffusion, society has entrusted to universities immense responsibilities in the common endeavour of human development, social, economic, technical and cultural advance, as well as in responding to major planetary problems such as the preservation of the environment.

According to him, Curtin Sarawak, as an institution of higher learning, can do a lot in addressing environmental issues both within its campus and in the wider community. “As a university of technology, Curtin Sarawak has three core responsibilities, that is, the fulfillment of our objectives in teaching and learning, and in research and development, and the fulfillment of our social obligations. We can contribute to society not only through community service, but also by continually introducing new ideas and concepts in our teaching and research, conduct studies and publish results, and introduce new methods and procedures in all areas of our research and development to our students and to the public at large,” he remarked.

He said that there should be constant awareness of sustainability and environmental impact in the university’s activities, and that everyone should ‘Think Global, Act Local’.

As a Senior Lecturer in the Civil and Construction Engineering department, Dr Tang also lectures on fundamentals of water and environmental engineering, and raises awareness of environmental issues among the students. His research interests include coastal hydrodynamics and pollutant dispersion at coastal areas, centralised and decentralised wastewater treatment systems, engineered wetlands, drainage and hydrology.

Leong, meanwhile, spoke about effective environmental action, drawing from his over ten years’ experience coordinating corporate environmental initiatives, and also how it is consistent good business practice. “It is not just the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Reduced consumption means reduced costs. Showing you care for the environment will enhance your public image, and it can help support our community, build goodwill, foster understanding, and create lasting bonds with our neighbours,” he said.

He stressed that in order for environmental action to be effective, it requires motivation, a comprehensive plan outlining policies objectives and targets, as well as the identifying of priority areas, action plans, constant monitoring and reviewing of progress, effective communication of aims, and the participation of everyone.

He added that Curtin Sarawak is committed to taking action to achieve sound environmental practices across its entire operation, complying with all environmental legislation, and minimising the use of energy, water and materials. It invites its customers, partners, suppliers and contractors to participate in its efforts to conserve the environment, and readily works with others in industry, public agencies and the community to achieve wider environmental goals.

(L-R) Forum speakers Nicholas Leong, Mitrabinda Singh and Dr Tang Fu Ee and ‘Curtin Corner’ organiser JC Malar Jayaprakash.