NIBONG TEBAL, 14 April 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is delighted to announce that, as of 1 October 2024, its Bio-Ecological Drainage System (BIOECODS) at the Engineering Campus has been officially recognised as a UNESCO Ecohydrology Demonstration Site.
This prestigious acknowledgment places BIOECODS under the Global Network of UNESCO-IHP Ecohydrology Demonstration Sites, further reinforcing USM's unwavering commitment to sustainable water resource management.
The selection was finalised during the Scientific Advisory Committee (EH-SAC) meeting of UNESCO's Ecohydrology Programme, which brought together distinguished scientists from across the world on 1 October 2024 at the University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
The proposal titled "Pioneering Integrated and Innovative Sustainable Stormwater Design for Urban Water Resource Management in Malaysia" was initiated by Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Remy Rozainy Mohd Arif Zainol.
He emphasised that it showcases a thorough implementation of ecohydrology techniques and an innovative approach to sustainable urban water resource management, earning recognition from the EH-SAC as a model initiative for demonstrating ecohydrology principles to the public.
“With this recognition, USM’s Engineering Campus will now actively contribute to the initiatives of the UNESCO-IHP Ecohydrology Programme within the framework of IHP IX,” he said.
According to Remy, the BIOECODS system, pioneered by Professor Dato' Dr. Nor Azazi Zakaria, exemplifies a sustainable approach to stormwater management by integrating eco-friendly hydrological processes with practical applications.
The BIOECODS at USM Engineering Campus exemplifies a Nature-Based Solution (NBS) supporting SDGs 6, 11, and 13, reinforcing USM’s top position in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024 for Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
"The aim of the system is to set a global standard for environmental practices while benefiting the local community," he said.
"It has also had a great impact on REDAC," Remy said, while expressing his gratitude to the Ministry of Higher Education for its continued trust and support of REDAC over the years.
"Especially when the success of this system became one of the main factors leading to the recognition of REDAC as one of the Higher Education Centres of Excellence (HICoE) under the Service Core HICoE in the field of Sustainable Urban Stormwater Management in 2014," he added.
Remy expresses its sincere appreciation to UNESCO and the EH-SAC for this distinguished recognition, saying it highlights USM's leadership in environmental research and innovation, further strengthening its role in addressing global water management challenges.
He also expressed his gratitude to Dato' Ir. Ratna Rajah Sivapiragasam, Director of the Humid Tropics Centre in Kuala Lumpur, and his team for their invaluable guidance and support in mentoring the USM team to achieve this prestigious recognition.
"Not to be forgotten is the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) of Malaysia for their continued cooperation and commitment to the advancement of sustainable water management initiatives.”
Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Photo: Syafiq Shaharuddin & Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman
BANDA ACEH, 7 November 2024 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), represented by RCE Penang, recently participated in an international workshop titled "An Intellectual Discourse on Environmental Issues" at Universitas Islam Negeri Ar-Raniry (UIN Ar-Raniry).
The event emphasised a collaboration on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provided an enriching platform for youth discussions on sustainability practices.
USM's involvement highlighted its commitment to SDG-focused initiatives, particularly through the empowerment of young leaders to tackle environmental challenges and promote sustainable communities.
Attended by 40 students from UIN Ar-Raniry's Fakultas Tarbiyah and Keguruan, along with faculty members Ibu Sabarni and Dr. Nurmalahayati, the workshop featured a series of youth sharing sessions led by the USM delegation.
Six USM students presented on SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), underscoring practical strategies to address these global challenges.
Their presentations emphasised the integration of sustainable practices within education, urban planning, and access to clean water, aiming to inspire resilience and awareness within the ASEAN youth community.
The USM delegation included Dr. Rohaya Abdullah, Project Coordinator, and a research officer from RCE Penang, Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS) at USM.
Rohaya said, “Through this collaboration, USM champions SDG-focused educational initiatives, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to implement sustainable solutions in their communities.”
She added, the seminar marked a meaningful step toward strengthening regional partnerships and fostering a deeper understanding of SDG implementation among youth.
With a shared vision for sustainability, USM and UIN Ar-Raniry exemplify how cross-border collaboration can drive impactful change, encouraging youth to become agents of environmental and social progress in their respective countries.
NIBONG TEBAL, 22 September 2024 – The River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has successfully organised the "Leveraging Water for Sustainability" programme, which aims to promote sustainable water management practices.
The programme highlighted effective strategies and innovative approaches to water resource management that will support ongoing sustainability efforts and featured two insightful sustainability talks entitled "Sustainability Water Resource Management" and "Sustainable Water Quality".
The talks were delivered by the Director of REDAC, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Remy Rozainy Mohd Arif Zainol and Dr. Nurul Hana Mokhtar Kamal, who shared their expertise on sustainable water management and the importance of maintaining water quality for long-term environmental health.
Speaking about the programme, Mohd Remy said it represents REDAC's ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable water management practices in the face of increasing challenges posed by climate change, population growth and urbanisation.
“The need for effective as well as innovative water management solutions has never been more urgent.
"This programme will provide participants with a deeper understanding of sustainable water resource management and demonstrate the critical need to preserve water quality for the benefit of our environment," he explained.
He added that REDAC was pleased to provide a hands-on learning experience through guided visits to key water management facilities on the engineering campus, as it gives participants a practical understanding of how these structures work and the important role they play in promoting environmentally sound water management.
"We hope that this programme will provide each participant with the knowledge and inspiration they need to contribute to a more sustainable future.
"Let us continue to work together to make water sustainability a shared responsibility and ensure a healthier environment for future generations," says Mohd Remy.
During the programme held on 14 September 2024, participants also had the opportunity to visit key water management sites such as the retention pond, wetland, type C swale and wet pond/natural soil, giving them a practical insight into how this infrastructure works and contributes to sustainable water management.
The programme, which was funded by the 2024 UNESCO Malaysia National Commission Contribution Grant, welcomed a total of 30 students from USM and the University of Miyazaki in Japan, as well as diploma students from Pusat Latihan Teknologi Tinggi (ADTEC) Taiping and high school students from Seberang Perai, Penang and Kulim, Kedah.
Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Photo: Courtesy of the River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC)
CYBERJAYA, 25 February 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through its School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan-based Tenchijin Inc. to advance AI-driven research in infrastructure assessment and renewable energy site selection using satellite data.
The one-year MoU, effective from 25 February 2025, lays the groundwork for collaboration between the two institutions while paving the way for a more comprehensive collaboration agreement in the future.
The partnership will focus on joint research into assessing the risk of water leakage from pipelines and identifying optimal locations for renewable energy projects, as well as promoting cooperation in research, education, and training initiatives.
As part of the collaboration, both parties will develop a white paper on the application of Tenchijin’s COMPASS KnoWaterleak and COMPASS Renewable Energy solutions in Malaysia, while also facilitating industry partnerships and other mutually beneficial activities.
The MoU was signed by the Deputy Director of the Centre for Innovation & Consultation (Technology Transfer, Commercialisation & Company Monitoring), Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Cheah Chee Ban, on behalf of the USM Vice-Chancellor, and Representative Director and CEO of Tenchijin Inc., Yasuhito Sakuraba.
The signing was witnessed by the Manager of Industry & Community Network at USM's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Dr. Mohd Shahrimie Mohd Asaari; and the Business Development Lead at Tenchijin Inc., Yohei Nishiyama.
Tenchijin Inc. uses high-resolution remote sensing data, including weather and topographical insights, and is the first company to receive investment from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), earning recognition as a JAXA Venture.
By utilising JAXA’s intellectual property and expertise, Tenchijin, a pioneering Japanese firm specialising in land appraisal services, aims to address global environmental and social challenges through advanced space-based technologies.
Text: Dr. Mohd Shahrimie Mohd Asaari, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, USM
