USM CGSS AND TZU CHI MALAYSIA HOST PENANG STATE-LEVEL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION E-SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP
PENANG, 12 August 2026 – An environmental education approach that integrates elements of technology, digital games, and e-sports is becoming increasingly relevant in efforts to enhance the younger generation’s awareness and understanding of environmental sustainability.
In line with this, the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), in collaboration with Tzu Chi Malaysia, organised the USM CGSS x Tzu Chi PaGamO Environmental Education E-sports World Cup 2026, 6th Penang State-Level E-sports Championship, held at The One Academy, Straits Quay, on 8 August 2026.
The championship successfully brought together 346 participants, in addition to 25 accompanying teachers, seven principals, eight distinguished guests, and 100 volunteers.
The championship was not merely an opportunity for participants to compete in digital games, but also served as an interactive learning platform that integrated environmental knowledge with critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
This approach made sustainability issues easier to understand and more relevant to the experiences and interests of today’s generation.
Executive Director of the Tzu Chi Malaysia Branch, Ooi Si Hoo, delivered a speech about the objectives of the competition and its importance in instilling a sense of environmental responsibility among the younger generation.
As a symbolic representation of the importance of natural resources and sustainability, the event also featured the launch of a bamboo-based torchlight lighting gimmick, representing the use of natural materials as part of a creative approach in conveying sustainability-related messages.
The competition was divided into three categories: Category A for primary school pupils, Category B for secondary school students, and Category C for open/adult participants. This structure ensured that environmental messages reached a broad audience across different ages and backgrounds.
In addition to the competition, participants and guests also had the opportunity to visit the environmental education exhibition booth provided by the organisers. The exhibition strengthened the programme’s learning component by providing visitors with access to environmental information and knowledge in a more visual, interactive, and accessible manner.
This approach has the potential to make environmental education more engaging while encouraging participants to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle.
According to the organisers, the championship reflects ongoing efforts to explore environmental education methods that are innovative, inclusive, and aligned with technological developments, particularly in engaging a younger generation that is increasingly connected to the digital world.
More importantly, the involvement of educational institutions, community organisations, the private sector, teachers, volunteers and the community in the programme demonstrates that efforts to cultivate a culture of sustainability require a collaborative and cross-sectoral approach.
The closing ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Director of CGSS, USM, Associate Professor Dr. Ng Theam Foo, who expressed appreciation to all parties involved in the successful organisation of the championship.
“I encourage the selected winners to gain more knowledge on environmental-sustainability related topics so that they will be more prepared for the national level championship on 12 September 2026 in Kampar, Perak,” he said.
There will be 8 states involved in the national championship, namely Kedah, Penang, Perak, Terengganu, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Johor.
Overall, the championship demonstrates that sustainability education can be delivered through more creative and innovative approaches without compromising its educational value.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were Rusdan Maidin, representative of the Penang State Education Department (JPN) from the Student and Talent Development Unit; Ong Soon Yeong from the Green Educator Work Group; Kathy Ong, representative of The One Academy; Ryan Lim, representative of Swisspac Resources Sdn. Bhd.; and Keong Chee Khoon, representative of Unitech QS Consultancy Sdn. Bhd.
