UTAR participates in JFEM for a greener future

Visitors making hairbands from recyclable materials

UTAR’s participation in the Jelajah Forum & Ekspo Mampan (JFEM) 2017 on 18 to 19 February 2017 at the RTC Gopeng, Perak, further shed light on the importance of promoting sustainable development across the country.

UTAR collaborated with JFEM to achieve the primary objectives of increasing the public’s awareness on sustainable development, enriching entrepreneurs’ ideas for sustainable actions, inspiring the public’s innovation, drawing closer cooperation among society, and increasing the public’s potential to create a green society, green economy and sustainable future.

With the aspiration for Perak to be a low-carbon state, JFEM commenced with an opening ceremony, which saw the presence of Perak State Executive Councillor for Education, Science, Environment and Green Technology Dato’ Dr Haji Muhammad Amin bin Haji Zakaria, Persatuan Cakna Ekonomi Anak Perak (CEKAP) Chairman Rossaini bin Ahmad Noor Razalan, and JFEM Secretarial Chairperson Ahmad Ruzizan Maphilindo bin Mohd Isa. The performance by UTAR’s very own 24 Festive Drums team, of the Wushu Club, gave an air of grandeur to kick start the JFEM event.

Fifty-eight students and 13 staff from UTAR actively took part in the expo, and the booths that were set up included those from the Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) which promoted their “Green Technology Project – River Ranger”, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT) which shared on “Agriculture Business Made Easy by Information Technology”, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) which educated the public with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs and treatments, Faculty of Science (FSc) which taught the public about the goodness of enzymes, Centre for Extension Education (CEE) which promoted their foreign language classes, Division of Programme Promotion (DPP) which endorsed UTAR programmes, and Department of Soft Skills Competency Kampar (DSSC-KPR) which shared on their arts and crafts activities. The UTAR booths successfully attracted over 300 visitors at the expo.

Apart from assisting at the booths, the UTAR students also attended the forum, titled “Impak Pemanasan Global – Bandar Rendah Karbon Sebagai Solusi”, where FEGT Deputy Dean for Academic Development & Undergraduate Programmes Dr Ng Choon Aun was invited as one of the panellists.

Another forum, titled “Transformasi Minda Usahawan Menggariskan Tiga Unsur: Keuntungan, Manusia dan Bumi”,was conducted later in the afternoon which saw 17 UTAR students enjoying the 90-minute discussion.

Besides the forums, another group of UTAR students also volunteered for other activities such as the “Eco Ride” activity and the “Litter Picking” activity, in which they helped to clean the surrounding area of RTC Gopeng.

JFEM came to an end on 19 February 2017 with a closing ceremony attended by Perak Executive Council Dato’ Hajah Rusnah binti Kassim, JFEM Secretariat’s Programme Director Ramlan bin Harun and Ahmad Ruzizan who expressed their good wishes for the next JFEM, which will be held from 6 to 7 May 2017 at RTC Sg Rambai, Malacca. Also present at the closing ceremony as the VIP guests were UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong and FSc Dean Dr Lim Tuck Meng.

JFEM was initiated in 2016 carrying the aspiration to promote sustainable development. It focuses on disseminating information and promoting awareness on sustainable practices across the country. The highlight of JFEM includes activities such as forums, expos, cycling, entrepreneurial workshops, agricultural workshops and cultural performances, which were initially carried out in areas around the Klang Valley.

24 Festive Drums team performing at the opening ceremony

From left: Staff from FSc, CEE and FMHS explaining their displays to visitors

Ramlan (left) presenting a token of appreciation to Dr Ng

Students (left) listening attentively at the forum, while others assist in cleaning up

Left: Prof Choong and Dr Lim at the closing ceremony
Right: Prof Choong receiving a token of appreciation from Dato’ Hajah