PENANG, April 2013 – Persuasive Communication final year students from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Communication partnered with USM’s Sejahtera Centre to organise a special programme, Sejahtera Walk, through the ADWAVE 2013 project recently to encourage the campus community to walk together around the campus.

The programme with the theme ‘Stop The Talk, Have A Walk’ was aimed at promoting and raising awareness among USM community about the importance of walking every day for a healthy lifestyle.

In a speech before the start of the event, Prof. Adnan Hussein, USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs and Development, said that besides fostering a healthy lifestyle, taking a walk around the campus also provides the opportunity to interact and exchange information on current matters about health while enjoying the greenery and the beauty of the USM campus environment. 

“I believe that Sejahtera Walk will bring much personal benefit to all and I urge all members of the campus to continue to participate in the Sejahtera Walk in the weeks to come. Make walking as your daily routine, or at least on every Wednesday by joining the Sejahtera Walk,” said Adnan.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nurulain Bayanuddin Abdullah, USM Sejahtera Centre Director, said walking is a low impact exercise for an individual but allows one to achieve a higher level of fitness and better health conditions.

“Walking is one of the easiest ways to exercise and does not require any cost. By walking at least 30 minutes every day, many health benefits can be obtained, including reduced risk of certain health conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease, decrease depression, and also helping us to sleep better,” said Nurulain.

A total of 450 students and staff participated in the Sejahtera Walk together with Prof. Adnan Hussein; Prof. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and International Affairs; Prof. Dato’ See Ching Mey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Industry and Community Network; Mr. N. Vijayan Kumar Nambiar, Deputy Director-General of the Office of Youth and Sports, Northeast District, Penang; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jamilah Hj Ahmad, Dean of USM School of Communication; Pn. Hj Kamaliah Siarap, ADWAVE 2013 Advisor; and Ms. Koh May Rui, ADWAVE 2013 Director.

The walk, held in conjunction with USM Main Campus Health Week from 1 to 5 April 2013, took about 45 minutes to complete on a route around the campus starting from USM Sejahtera Centre and ended at USM Athletics Stadium. – Text: Tan Ewe Hoe/Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa/Translation: Yong Check Yoon