Another green year for UTAR Green Ambassadors

Green is the colour we easily associate with the environment, and these UTAR Green Ambassadors have indeed been doing their best to make sure the environment in Kampar stays green. They first started in 2024, when the ambassador programme was launched in collaboration with UTAR Green Campus Committee (UGCC) Kampar, and the Global Environment Centre (GEC).

Together, they empower students as agents of change in environmental stewardship. With GEC’s training expertise and funding support, the programme also equips the UTAR Green Ambassadors with the skills and knowledge to contribute towards environmental sustainability efforts, including monitoring river health, raising awareness on campus, and engaging with local communities in various outreach activities.

Their involvement remains active, and this year, a total of 14 UTAR Green Ambassadors, led by Chairperson Cheang Zi Shan, were recruited. They executed four initiatives which combined scientific monitoring and hands-on education, reflecting UTAR’s commitment to sustainability, specifically, safeguarding freshwater resources.

Water Security and Protection Campaign

A student committee explaining the activities at the stations

Held from 14 to 16 April 2025 at UTAR Kampar Campus, the campaign raised awareness among staff and students on the importance of water conservation and its practical application in daily life. To provide a clearer explanation, the campaign featured two interactive booths. At the first booth, participants learned to make a DIY water filter. They were taught about physical water filtration and then learnt to build their own water filters from simple materials. The second booth featured a DIY hydroelectric working model, which demonstrated how flowing water can generate electricity, and educated participants on the principles of renewable hydropower.

Through the campaign, the participants gained practical knowledge on simple water purification methods that can be used during emergencies, as well as a clearer understanding of renewable energy. This initiative fostered a culture of sustainability among students, empowering them to become more conscious water consumers in their daily lives, in direct support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

River Health Index Monitoring at Sg Kampar

The ambassadors testing out the water

The River Health Index (RHI) monitoring for Sg. Kampar was held on 19 April 2025. It involved eight UTAR Green Ambassadors, alongside UTAR Green Ambassador Programme Coordinator Assoc Prof Dr Leong Lai Ying, Department of Student Affairs Kampar staff Ms Ma Foong Mei, and UGCC Kampar Chairperson Assoc Prof Ir Ts Dr Toh Pey Yi. The monitoring involved three key methods: physical, biological, and chemical monitoring. It is a comprehensive assessment using standardised checklists and test kits to measure parameters like pH, dissolved oxygen, and aquatic biodiversity.

The monitoring activity provided the ambassadors with hands-on experience in professional ecological field assessment. The validated data was uploaded to GEC’s system, contributing to a vital longitudinal dataset for tracking the health of Sg. Kampar. This initiative reinforced UTAR’s commitment to evidence-based environmental protection and provided students with invaluable skills in scientific data collection and analysis.

A second round of monitoring was then conducted on 20 September 2025, as part of their sustained commitment to long-term environmental monitoring. It provided crucial comparative data to understand seasonal changes or trends in the river’s health. For the ambassadors, it reinforced their technical skills and underscored the importance of consistent data collection in ecological conservation. This continued effort highlights UTAR’s science-driven approach to fulfilling SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, and its role as a guardian of local freshwater resources.

Water Security and Protection Outreach Programme

All smiles for a successful learning session

With the aim of fostering environmental responsibility and scientific curiosity among primary school students, the ambassadors organised an outreach activity at SJK(C) Chung Huah, Kampar, on 2 July 2025. The outreach initiative successfully engaged more than 220 school students in an awareness talk and three interactive stations, namely DIY Water Filter, Hydropower Demonstration, and Flocculation Process.

The programme successfully ignited interest in science and environmentalism among young learners. The hands-on activities made complex concepts like water treatment and renewable energy tangible and memorable. This outreach extended UTAR’s sustainability mission beyond campus, planting seeds of environmental stewardship in the next generation and strengthening community ties. The programme’s design effectively supported both SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

The ambassadors of each station explaining the methodology to the students

Through these four strategically executed initiatives—spanning on-campus education, scientific fieldwork, and community outreach—the UTAR Green Ambassador Programme powerfully manifested UTAR’s institutional commitment to a sustainable future. By empowering students as agents of change and collaborating with partners like the Global Environment Centre, UTAR continues to make a tangible impact on both its immediate community and the broader environment.

The success of these initiatives is also a testament to the powerful and sustained collaboration with GEC. Through GEC’s training, the programme has enhanced students’ capacity and professionalism; enabled them to contribute to the national understanding and tracking of river health, giving local efforts far-reaching significance; and increased the University’s reach and credibility in community outreach. This collaboration also strengthened the University’s commitment to sustainability, thus contributing and aligning with global goals.