USM Collaboration to Maintain Shared Land Ecosystems

Universiti Sains Malaysia undertook several initiatives in 2024 that involved collaborating with local communities to protect and restore land-based ecosystems. These projects, ranging from mangrove replanting and forest clean-ups to sustainable agriculture and environmental education, illustrate USM’s commitment to SDG 15: Life on Land and engaging stakeholders beyond campus. Below are key initiatives from 2024, each emphasizing community involvement in conserving shared land ecosystems.

Mangrove Conservation: Global Effort in Greening Merbok

USM staff, students, and partners from Malaysia and South Korea in a muddy mangrove replanting session at Sungai Merbok, Kedah. In early 2024, USM’s School of Educational Studies (PPIP) spearheaded a mangrove planting program in the Sungai Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve in Kedah. This event, held on 26 January 2024, saw 300 mangrove seedlings planted along the coastal mangrove area as a symbol of collective commitment to environmental sustainability. The project was a collaboration between RCE Penang@USM (Regional Centre of Expertise) and RCE Tongyeong (South Korea) under the “Bridge to the World” youth program, together with the local community group Kelab Puncak and the Kedah State Forestry Department. High school students from South Korea joined Malaysian students, teachers, and USM staff in this hands-on initiative, reflecting international and local community cooperation. Funded by the Japan Malaysia Association, the effort underscored the importance of community engagement and education in fostering environmental stewardship. By restoring part of the 4,176-hectare mangrove ecosystem at Sungai Merbok, home to diverse wildlife including 80 bird species and other fauna. The project helped protect coastal ecology while also instilling a sense of environmental responsibility in the youth who participated.

Langkawi Geopark Community Clean-up

USM students and local collaborators at the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark for the Idaman Geosite Clean-up, part of a University Social Responsibility (USR) programme. In February 2024, USM partnered with the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) to engage local communities in protecting a shared land ecosystem at the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark. Under USM’s University Social Responsibility (USR) initiative, the Idaman Geosite Clean-Up (IGSC) was conducted as a flagship activity to clean and preserve the natural environment of a geopark site in Langkawi. A team of 46 USM students (3rd- and 4th-year) from the School of Housing, Building and Planning, along with faculty leaders, joined forces with LADA officials to remove trash and restore the beauty of geosite. This experiential program, held on 20 January 2024, aimed to cultivate a love for nature and a sense of responsibility among students by taking learning beyond the classroom into the field. According to the program organizers, “IGSC serves as a testament to the university’s commitment to experiential learning and community engagement. Beyond enriching the students’ lives, it leaves a lasting impact on the community”. By working alongside the local authority in a UNESCO Geopark, the students not only helped maintain an important terrestrial ecosystem but also enhanced teamwork and leadership skills, demonstrating how youth engagement can contribute to sustaining shared natural heritage.

Earth Day “1 Million Trees” Campus Planting

On 22 April 2024 (Earth Day), USM actively contributed to the Penang state’s “1 Million Trees Planting Programme in a Day in Penang” initiative by organizing simultaneous tree-planting events across all three of its campuses (Main campus in Penang Island, Engineering campus, and Health campus in Bertam). In total, 8,500 tree saplings were planted in a single day with the help of approximately 1,000 volunteers, including USM students, staff, and local participants. The Vice-Chancellor of USM officiated the event, emphasizing that as an educational institution championing sustainability. Various native and beneficial tree species were planted, for example, fruit-bearing limau kasturi (calamansi) trees and other forest trees, chosen for their environmental benefits such as providing shade, lowering ambient temperatures, improving campus air quality, and absorbing CO₂. As part of the Earth Day ceremony, USM also launched a “Kebun Limau Kasturi” (Calamansi Orchard) on campus to involve the community in nurturing fruit trees. This large-scale planting effort not only greened the university grounds but also engaged the local community (including a community rehabilitation group on campus) in hands-on ecosystem stewardship, leaving a meaningful legacy for future generations. The initiative illustrates USM’s collaborative approach to urban reforestation and community awareness, aligning with Penang’s climate-resilient development goals. In addition, USM’s efforts were formally recognised, on 28 May 2024, USM received the “Highest Award in the Higher Education Category” for its role in the “One Million Trees Planting Programme in a Day in Penang.”
The award acknowledged USM’s achievement in planting 8,500 trees across its three campuses and engaging 1,000 volunteers.