The University for Society’s (U4S) initiative, led by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), will be gathering four public universities to conserve and redevelop Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang.
The universities involved, according to Associate Prof Dr Johari Surif of UTM’s Centre for Community and Industry Network, are Universiti Teknikal Melaka Malaysia (UTEM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), with UTM serving as the Southern Zone chief.
The U4S Southern Zone project, a joint venture of expertise of these four universities, focuses on environmental community sustainability development around Pasir Gudang and beyond, and sustaining the river.
“In line with the university’s Sustainable Development Goals initiative, UTM will contribute in line with the required expertise in the aspects of eco-park and nature river engineering by carrying out the development of an eco-park at Sungai Kim Kim,” said Prof Johari in a statement. He said this while moderating an online webinar entitled “U4S: Sustainability of Sungai Kim Kim and the Community”, on social media platforms.
According to Prof Johari, UTHM will focus on educating the surrounding community through a river education initiative called “Conserve the Nature, Love the River”.
“UTEM will assist in terms of knowledge and technology transfer programmes in the ‘Smart River Robot Challenge’ by creating cleaning robots in the rivers.
“USIM has a role in stabilising the emotions and spirit of the community involved through various training programmes, such as the ‘Psychological Aid Guide’ for teachers and students,” he said.
According to him, the U4S Southern Zone team will collaborate with a number of other organisations, including the Johor Irrigation and Drainage Department, the Department of Environment, Pasir Gudang City Council, and the Pasir Gudang district education office, to meet the objective.
He also stated that the team will seek the help of the surrounding industries to collaborate in order to accomplish changes in the environment that are beneficial to the community’s well-being and peace.
, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), with UTM serving as the Southern Zone chief.){kind=link}