Top row: Dr Wong (sixth from left), Dr Lee, Prof Ng, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Bazlin Darina, Yan, UTAR PR CSR Project 2023 Project Advisor Diong Fong Wei (second row, second from left), The GreenBankers members and UTAR staff taking a group photograph in front of the 6Rs mural
In collaboration with UTAR Green Bank Project, the Group 2 of UTAR Public Relations Corporate Social Responsibility (UTAR PR CSR) Project 2023, “The GreenBankers”, had taken small-yet-significant steps towards promoting a cleaner, greener and more sustainable world. The Green Bank Project by The GreenBankers was launched on 5 April 2023 at the Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) Building of UTAR Kampar Campus. The soft launch ceremony saw a total of 117 attendances.
The GreenBankers is formed by 32 UTAR Bachelor of Communications (Honours) Public Relations students who are undertaking the course UAMP3084 Corporate Social Responsibility. In line with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, the project aims to educate everyone, especially UTAR staff and students about environmental responsibility as well as encourage the practice of 6Rs – Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle in daily life.
The Green Bank Project was introduced through the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UTAR and Go Greenonline Sdn Bhd on 30 March 2020. It aimed to promote successful waste segregation culture among UTAR staff and students by involving them in waste segregation activities through the Recycle Ranger Programme.
The President of UTAR Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, who was filled with excitement to discover the potential marvels displayed by The GreenBankers in the near future, enthused, “It is always exciting to see the students’ enthusiasm and creativity, especially our PR students in organising activities to benefit the University as well as the community. Since 2019, our PR students have made great progress with their CSR projects. Over 40 CSR projects were executed thus far, benefitting numerous individuals and organisations in our country, especially the community of Kampar. I believe the initiatives undertaken by our PR students will not only help to strengthen our connection to the community, but also make the world a better place. The significance of 6Rs cannot be overstated, particularly when we consider the present state of our planet, where the temperature is steadily rising, causing pronounced shifts in climate and weather patterns.”
Prof Dato’ Ewe sharing the achievements of the students of UTAR PR CSR Project
In his remarks, FEGT Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun said, “I am pleased with the collaboration between FEGT and the Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS). After the soft launch of the Green Bank Project by The GreenBankers, I hope students will be more active in recycling wastes in their respective areas. FEGT recognises the significance of green technology and environmental preservation. We welcome anyone with an interest in green technology to work with us to build a greener environment and future. I believe the Green Bank Project will be one of the milestones of FEGT.”
Prof Ng expressing FEGT’s commitment to building a greener future
Green Bank Project Leader Ts Dr Wong Ling Yong, who is also an FEGT academic, shared the severity of ineffective waste disposal. He said, “I am honoured to be able to witness another milestone of the Green Bank Project, which is made possible through collaboration with the CSR project, The GreenBankers. In Malaysia, approximately 15 million tonnes of solid waste were generated in 2022, and only 33.17% of the waste was recycled. If nothing is done to reduce waste, there will be too many landfills, thus no space will be available by 2050. We must act now before our country is overrun with garbage.”
Dr Wong explaining the severity of improper waste disposal
Following the diligent path set by the students of previous UTAR PR CSR Projects, the Project Director of The GreenBankers, Yan Pheng Liang said, “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us in making our soft launch ceremony a great success. Your unwavering support and presence are tremendous boosts to The GreenBankers. We are inspired by our seniors who have accomplished remarkable CSR projects from 2019 to 2022. We are determined to follow in their footsteps by reaching new heights in the UTAR PR CSR Project 2023.”
“I encourage everyone to join us in our activities and events to contribute towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable environment. Together, we can make a substantial difference in our community,” enthused Yan.
Yan encouraging audience to take action towards a sustainable future
A mural, born out of The GreenBankers’ creativity and commitment towards a greener environment, was painted on the wall of the Recycle Chamber I. It was unveiled by Prof Dato’ Ewe, Prof Ng, FAS Dean Dr Lee Lai Meng, FAS Head of Department of Public Relations Bazlin Darina binti Ahmad Tajudin, Dr Wong and Yan during the soft launch of the Green Bank Project by The GreenBankers.
The GreenBankers also prepared a group dance performance as well as a song performance for the audience. The song performance titled “The Cup Song”, incorporated the core elements of 6Rs and another simple-yet-crucial ingredient, fun. The group showed the audience that, with creativity, one can have fun with even the easily-accessible recyclables and reusables around us.
The GreenBankers putting on a dance performance with jolliness as core
The GreenBankers syncing their voices with the soft beats from the plastic cups
As gratitude for their continued support, The GreenBankers presented tokens of appreciation to Prof Dato’ Ewe, Prof Ng and Dr Wong.
Dr Wong (second from left), Prof Ng and Prof Dato’ Ewe receiving tokens of appreciation from Yan in the company of the other members of The GreenBankers
The soft launch ceremony concluded with a group photography session.
Top row: Dr Wong (seventh from left), Prof Ng (ninth from left), Prof Dato’ Ewe, Dr Lee, Yan and Diong smile for a photograph together with The GreenBankers members at the end of the soft launch
In their effort towards promoting a sustainable future, The GreenBankers collaborated with Majlis Daerah Kampar (MDKpr) to organise a Ramadhan Bazaar Roadshow called “Kempen Hindari Penggunaan Beg Plastik Sekali Guna dan Program Penyerahan Apron dan Topi kepada Peniaga Bazar Ramadan Kampar Tahun 2023” on 27 March 2023,and a gotong-royong activity called “Program Gotong-royong Lihat Sampah Ambil” on 9 April 2023.
The group also went on a short excursion to Pangkor Island, Perak on 11 March 2023. During the trip, they researched environmental issues and conducted environmental inspections on the island. With the aim to raise environmental awareness and serve the community, they will pay a visit to the island once more in their “Pangkor Island 2 Days 1 Night Camp”, which will be held from 15 April 2023 to 16 April 2023.
“The Grand Opening Ceremony of the Green Bank Project” will be held at UTAR Heritage Hall Building on 25 April 2023.
For more information on The Greenbankers’ progress, please visit their Facebook page, “UTAR PR CSR Project”.
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