PENANG, 23 October 2013 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is honoured after being selected by the Sydney Olympic Park, the University of Western Sydney, Australia, to host the Youth Eco Summit 2013 (YES 2013) from 23 to 24 October at the university.

YES 2013, organised the second time by Australia, is hosted by the Regional Expertise Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, is a programme that revolves around activities and discussions on sustainability and innovation with a focus on students and teachers at each level.

According to Professor Dr. Ismail Abustan, YES 2013 programme manager who is also a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Global Sustainability Research (CGSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, the objective of this programme is for students who want to apply leadership and showcase their achievements in practicing exemplary sustainability activities.

“The programme involves three countries, namely Malaysia, Germany and Australia which is the main organiser, where each presentation is via tele-conferencing, presented simultaneously in the three countries,” he said after the presentation session of the Malaysian side.

He added that as the younger generation is now plagued by the crisis of global warming and environmental pollution, conference such as this should be increased so that this generation is prepared for more severe situations to come.

Ismail hoped that such activities can dispel the mindset that students only studied to excel in exams but on the contrary also make them think outside the box and be able to innovate from what they have learned.

YES 2013 received participation from 5 reputable primary and the secondary schools comprising Sekolah Rendah Convent Greenlane, Maktab Rendah Sains Mara Balik Pulau, Sekolah Kebangsaan Minden Height, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Jambul and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pauh Jaya.

To date the total number involved in organising the Youth Eco Summit is 6000 students, 160 schools and more than 40 programme providers in the three countries. - Photos/Translation: Yong Check Yoon