1st February 2023: Centre for Testing, Measurement, and Appraisal (CeTMA), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is honored to receive a benchmarking visit from the Centre of Sustainable Campus and Energy Management (COSCEM), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP). The visit was led by COSCEM Director, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Irnis Azura binti Zakarya, and her team member. The purpose of this visit is to learn best practices, find potential collaborations, and share expertise from the context of sustainability in higher learning institutions.
The delegation arrived at UUM Welcome Centre and was enlightened about UUM's history. Here, they are briefed by the Welcome Centre staff. Later, at CeTMA, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Masnita Misiran shares UUM's current initiatives, achievements, and challenges in upholding the sustainability agenda on campus. Dr. Irnis reciprocated by sharing their current journey as well as the challenges in UniMAP.
They also visited several areas on campus based on selected sustainable initiatives – the academic sustainability-driven course in SEFB’s Agribusiness program (the Agrofarm), the research-based sustainability initiatives through the DEcoR grant (the Ezee DIY Aquaponic System), disabled-friendly campus in TM Student Residential Hall, and the new green building at STHEM.
At Agrofarm, Dr. Hartinee Abbas and Dr. Nur Marina Abdul Manap welcome the delegate and explain the agribusiness program’s learning model. They also show the fiber tank created for fish and shrimp farming and the plants they grow from scratch such as rock melon, watermelon, chili, and others.
Next, the delegates met Dr. Mohamad Farizal Rajemi and Dr. Muhammad Mat Yusof on their successful Ezee DIY Aquaponic System method that produces fresh vegetables and healthy fish that can be maintained sustainably. This project is funded through the Development and Ecosystem Research grants with a small budget of RM10,000 but is able to produce substantial sustainable outputs. They are also currently expanding the project through a larger grant funded by an external party.
Then, the delegates visited the Student Residential Hall, the Inasis TM, which is one of the hostels that provide facilities for students with disabilities. Here, Mr. Muhammad Faizal Rosni, Hostel Assistant Manager guides visitors to rooms especially developed for disabled students on campus.
Lastly, delegates visited the School of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management (STHEM) building. Assoc Prof. Dr. Kamal Izzuwan Ramli (the Dean of STHEM) personally welcome delegates and showed them this new building that is adopting sustainable green infrastructure. Delegates are shown to the simulation room, pastry kitchen, commercial kitchen, and home other kitchens. The benchmark visit was closed with a group photo.