PENANG, 29 March 2014 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) places great emphasis on striving for the success of the university sustainability agenda and urged everybody in its community, regardless student or staff to work together towards saving energy for the university as a whole.

This was conveyed by USM Academic and International Affairs Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal in his speech at the launching of USM “Earth Hour 2014” and the “Friday Earth Hour” here tonight. It is in support of the celebration of “Earth Hour” which is celebrated worldwide on March 29 every year.

According to him, we should all think beyond the symbolic gesture in the energy saving campaign; rendering this programme as a platform to adopt best practices, educate and enlighten the university community to take on the responsibility in safeguarding the environment for future sustainability and well-being of mankind.

“The presence of more than 4,000 students this evening despite the strong wind and drizzle symbolises APEX University’s unity and strength support, and its advocacy on issues of sustainability and universality which has been the main agenda of USM,” said Ahmad Shukri.

Meanwhile, USM Student Representative Council 2013/2014 President, Mohammad Shafiq bin Kamaruddin, said the overwhelming support shown for Earth Hour shows the ability of the Green Campus Secretariat and the students. They live up to the trust and empowerment given by the University in ensuring the success of such programmes that are able to leave a positive impact on future generations.

The USM “Earth Hour 2014” and “Friday Earth Hour” programmes were coordinated by the USM Green Campus Secretariat with the cooperation of theUSM Centre for Education and Training in Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Green Technology (CETREE & GT) with full support from the Student Representative Council (USM SRC), the Hostel Residents Council (HRC), USM Rakan Muda, Indian Cultural Association (ICA), the Chinese Culture and Arts Secretariat and the Indian Volunteers Secretariat.

During the “Earth Hour Friday” programme initiated by the Hostel Residents Council (HRC), students in each hostel will switch off the lights of their rooms for an hour from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. every Friday starting from the night of 28 March.

“This programme hopes to educate the campus community on the concept of energy efficiency practices in which if it succeeds, will yield energy savings to the university because one sen can be saved from the switching off of each fluorescent light for an hour.    

"Imagine if nearly 5,000 USM students were to switch off their lights for an hour every Friday;  the value of 1 sen will have a multiplier effect when everyone contributes and sacrifices for university and for the well-being of the Earth,” Ahmad Shukri added.

The participation in the event has drawn a number of activities that were organised for the students that night, one of which was a run around the campus called “RUN@USM” and it attracted the participation of more than 1,300 students.

Other activities include Wayang Pacak, Light Painting, Decorated House, Pocket Plant and using light to form the words “We Love USM” involving 5,000 earthen oil lamps that were arranged in a formation 25 meters wide and 45 meters long.

Also present were Students Development Director, USM Student Affairs and Development Division Dr. Nazarudin Zainun; Green Campus Secretariat Coordinator, Mohammad Shafiq bin Abdul Aziz; Earth Hour 2014 Project Director Muhammad Afi Adli Hasnul; as well as hostel warden representatives and association presidents involved. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Yong Check Yoon