USM, PENANG, 29 August 2016 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) through the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Penang, Japan-Malaysia Association and the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan (ERCA) has successfully organised a programme known as ERCA: Overseas Training Course 2016, which is a collaborative effort between Japan and Malaysia.

The USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman in the closing speech of the programme said that, education for sustainability is given great emphasis by USM in ensuring that the students would become a society which appreciates and cares for the environment.

“I believe that from the various programmes within ERCA 2016, it would not only raise the awareness on sustainable practices, but also on the readiness of the students to change their habits and behaviour to ensure a more sustainable future,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Consul-General of Japan to Penang, Kiyoshi Itoi was grateful to USM, more so to RCE Penang, in ensuring the success of the programme.

“With the availability of such a programme, the students from Japan would be more appreciative of the environment from the exposure provided to them, especially concerning the benefits of mangrove forests to the environment,” he explained further.

The week-long programme from August 23-29, attended by 16 students and officers from 10 universities in Japan, also included the planting of mangrove trees as well as a tour around Kuala Sepetang in Perak and a workshop on the management of solid waste.

A participant of the programme, Risa Ishikawa, 20, was satisfied with overall programme in addition to the knowledge obtained on the importance of sustainability in Malaysia.

“I managed to know more about Malaysia especially Penang, and the beauty of the mangrove forest still unaffected by pollution,” said the student from Keio University further.

 

She added that, other than the unique attractions in Penang, the food is also delicious and the people are warm and ever willing to assist in many situations.

Risa was among the 10 students who took turns to present what they have learned from the programme before the closing ceremony.

Also present at the programme closing ceremony were the Deputy Consul-General of Japan, Hiroko Taniguchi; Executive Director of Japan-Malaysia Association, Takuji Arai; RCE on ESD@USM (RCE Penang) Coordinator, Professor Dr. Munirah Ghazali; and USM Graduate School of Business Dean, Professor Dr. Azlan Amran.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Syuhada Abd. Aziz