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Wednesday April 8, 2015
JJI)1~Jlosting
By MOHO IZHAM BIN
HASHIM
Izham@newsabah
times.com.my
KOTA KINABALU: In its
commitment to establishing
an eco- campus, University
Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is
leading the' way forward in
strengthening academic coop
eration for developing sus
tainable
solutions
and
eco-friendly environment for
universities.
"Universities and institutes
of higher learning can play a
leading role in environmental
stewardship by instilling
awareness, education and
forging cooperation in devel
oping sustainable local and
global solutions and strategies
to address key environmental
HOME
New Sabah Times
2nd Conference on Campus sustainabilitv challenges,"
said
UMS
"UMS remains committed
Vice-chancellor Prof Dr. in our endeavour in enhancing
Harun Abdullah.
initiatives towards the goal of
a full-fledged
Leading the initiative, UMS becoming
is hosting the 2nd Regional Eco-campus by 2018," he
Conference on Campus Sus said. The text of his speech
tainability this year, with the was delivered by UMS
collaboration of University of Deputy vice chancellor (Stu
Malaya (Malaysia), including dent Affairs and Alumni) As
Palawan State University and . sociate Professor Dr Ismail
Adamson University of the Ali.
According to Hamn, the
Philippines. .
Further, he highlighted university strives to become a
growing concerns over envi leading example in environ
ronmental issues such as glob mental stewardship while pro
al warming poses serious risks viding innovative solutions to
to natural systems and com incorporate sustainable ap
munities
throughout the pro aches through the univer
world, underlining the uni sity's teaching, research, man
versity's commitment to ex agement and operational prac
pand research in developing a tices.
better understanding of cli
"Beingthe only anchor uni
mate change and its long-term versity in the state, we recog
nise the crucial .importance of
implications.
conserving Sabah's abundant, .students to exchange ideas,
priceless biodiversity which insights, and expertise in lead
continues to sustain the state's ing transformation towards an
primary industries, riamely eco-friendly campus.
The three-day conference is
agriculture and tourism which
are much dependent on our attended by over 250 partic
ipants and featured keynote
natural resources," he added.
Harun affirmed the univer speakers on a wide range of
sity's commitment in research topics on sustainability, con
and education towards deve1 sisting of notable academics
oping more sustainable man and researchers from National
agement of the State' s rich University of Singapore and
of
natural heritage.
Hokkaido
University
The occasion also wit Japan.
nessed the Memorandum of
Earlier during his speech,
Understanding (MOU) sign Harun noted the university is
ing ceremony between UMS continually expanding collab
and Adamson University of oration in research, expertise
and innovation in the local and
the Philippines.
Meanwhile, UMS Ecocam global arena.
pus Director Prof Dr. Justin
"We are bringing the ideas
Sentian hopes the conference and spreading the message of
would provide a great op sustainable development to
portunity for researchers and the wider community by en
gaging our stakeholders and
global benchmarking," he
said. '
For instance, he noted the
university's noting the uni
versity's Tropical Biology In
stitute, Borneo Marine Insti
tute and Biotechnology Re
search have been making out
standing contributions in pro
moting sustainable develop
ment locally and globally.
"UMS continue to broaden
its frontiers in research col
laboration, expertise and in
novations by working closely
with renowned sustainability
think-tanks such as the Unit
ed Nations Sustainable De
velopment Solutions Net
work (SDSN), International
Sustainability Campus Net
work(ISCN) among others,"
he said.
~
f
,
r
fb
.
Prof Dr. Ismail representing Harun (second from left) exchanging MOUs with representative of
Adamson University from the Philippines at the 2nd Regional Conference on Campus '
Sustainability yesterday.
•
_
The 2nd Regional Conference on Campus Sustainability witnessed the MOU signing cer.emony .
between UMS represented by Dr. Ismail ( seated second from left) and representative( seated far
right) of Adamson University from the Philippines.