UUM SEALS COLLABORATIVE JOINT VENTURE WITH E-IDAMAN IN HOPES OF BECOMING A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS

UUM ONLINE: In efforts to become a 'Sustainable Campus', Universiti Utara Malaysia established a strategic collaboration with a solid waste management and public cleansing concession company, E-Idaman Sdn. Bhd. when it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the Senate Room.

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah, while E-Idaman Sdn. Bhd. was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zaki Abdul Aziz Daud.

In his speech Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman said the sealing of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between UUM and E-Idaman was a starting point for joint efforts and concerted efforts to realise the 'Living Campus' agenda.

According to him UUM aspired to be an example to the whole country in terms of being committed to environmental sustainability. Being a strategic partner to E-Idaman was one of the testimonies of the University's seriousness in passing on something good of this university in particular and the country in general to future generations.

He said capacity building based on three aspects namely human resources, processes and performance should be emphasized in this context.

"First, capacity building. In particular human resource development, we produce future leaders. Every year an estimated 5,000 graduates enter the field of employment, surely they are able to play an important role in the aspect of environmental care. Even when they hold important positions in the related organisation, they can introduce new policies that are pro to environmental protection. This will boost the good name of UUM and E-Idaman in driving the country's environmental sustainability agenda.

"Second, the development of management processes. Specifically in the aspect of improving the efficiency of work processes related to solid waste and environmental care. We must take a systematic approach and have the right, consistent and competitive method or system. If this happens, we will certainly be able to realize the concept of ‘living campus’ or university, state and country.

"Third, the emphasis on the importance of measuring performance consistently. Proper performance measurement can provide accurate guidance on how an organisation move and play its role. All improvement or strengthening measures can be identified and taken based on performance," he said.

In addition, Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman also introduced the concept of 'behaviorial insights', a concept that he believed should be brought in the framework of work between UUM and E-Idaman in educating the children of the nation and the community. The said concept could help in emphasizing the importance of the community taking its responsibility earnestly in hygiene and environmental care.

He said communities should see that efforts towards education and improvement of environmental and solid waste management as very important.

According to him, the planned effort cannot be achieved in a short span of time, as such it required comprehensive and integrated planning. Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah expressed his confidence that with E-Idaman's expertise in environmental waste management and combined with UUM's expertise will certainly be able to produce the best environmental care and management model. 

"It is my fervent hope that the whole state of Kedah and the country will be able to feel the touch of UUM and this touch will be a golden touch if we have a great friend like E-Idaman. Let us work together and utilize the human resources and expertise we have. However, we need to focus on the aspect of educating the attitude of the community as that is where the real 'capacity building' is and every success or effort put in depends on the attitude of the community itself.

Meanwhile, Mr. Zaki Abdul Aziz said that E-Idaman was delighted and honoured to be part of UUM's ongoing efforts to create and add value to university and industry collaboration in further strengthening research and innovation that will support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiatives.

According to him, in line with the vision of E-Idaman - 'Preserving Our Environment', the collaboration with UUM would definitely enable the branding of the company that had made solid waste management and public cleaning as its main thrust in services. Aside from that the various awareness campaigns and programmes would help create sustainable development.

He said the balance of academics and sustainable development at institution of higher education should be emphasized among students, therefore the collaboration between E-Idaman and UUM would be able to produce graduates who were committed in supporting the SDGs agenda.

“Among the world’s leading universities supporting this agenda are University College Cork in the Republic of Ireland, Newcastle University and the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom which have set up the green Campus programme to improve recycling facilities and solve waste management problems around the university grounds.

"With the signing of this MoU, I fervently hope it would open wider opportunities for the main drivers of the university agenda, including the waste management agenda and 'living campus' for all UUM denizens.

"At the same time, I hope that the support of this additional fund can lead to a more practical and comprehensive solution and provide benefits in the future for E-Idaman and UUM based on strong and sound studies and research," he said. He further reiterated that E-Idaman was highly committed in helping UUM denizens create a 'zero waste campus' and practice recycling and become a responsible campus community in managing solid waste towards creating a more sustainable development.

Also present at the event was the Director of Centre for Testing, Measurement and Appraisal CeTMA), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Idayu Mahat.