PENANG, 19 January 2026 – Conservation efforts for the environment continued with the involvement of 36 students from the University of Tasmania (UTAS), as part of the UniGo-UTAS programme, through the planting of 600 mangrove shoots at the Merbok mangrove swamp off the coastline of Kedah, recently.

The UniGo-UTAS programme is an international mobility and exchange initiative that provides students with global awareness through a short-term study trip abroad.

The programme was organised to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, and directly supported SDG 13: Climate Action through the conservation of the mangrove ecosystem, which serves as a natural carbon‑capturing system while also protecting beaches against erosion and the impacts of climate change.

At the same time, this initiative also contributed to SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life On Land, by protecting vital habitats for various species of flora and fauna.

The field trip to the Merbok mangroves provided participants with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the role of the mangrove ecosystem in maintaining environmental balance.

The active involvement of participants in planting mangrove shoots reflects an experiential approach that supports SDG 4: Quality Education, particularly in promoting education for sustainability and raising environmental awareness.

Apart from that, the organisation of this programme further strengthens international partnerships in education and environmental conservation, fulfilling SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration between higher education institutions and local communities.

The UniGo programme not only serves as a platform for knowledge and cultural exchange, but plays a bigger role in instilling social responsibility and global awareness on environmental sustainability issues for the benefit of future generations.

Original Text & Photos: School of Distance Education, USM/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin