USM Off-Campus Water Conservation Support Initiatives

Universiti Sains Malaysia actively extends its sustainability initiatives beyond the campus through off-campus water conservation support programmes that promote responsible water use, enhance community capacity, and share practical solutions for sustainable water management. These efforts align with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, reflecting USM’s leadership in water stewardship and environmental education.

In conjunction with the Penang State-Level World Water Day 2024 Celebration held at Bukit Dumbar Recreational Park on 25 May 2024, USM played a major role in promoting community-based water conservation awareness. The event, themed “Save Water for Penang 2030,” was jointly organised by Water Watch Penang (WWP) and the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP). USM’s School of Humanities and River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC) showcased practical water management technologies such as the Bio-Ecological Drainage System (BIOECODS). This off-campus initiative provided hands-on exposure to local communities and decision-makers on sustainable urban drainage and stormwater reuse systems. Through its active involvement, USM contributed to enhancing public understanding of practical water conservation and responsible usage at the community level.

On 16 May 2024, USM’s REDAC, together with the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), co-organised the Half-Day Workshop on Elevating the Safety of Harvested Rainwater for Potable and Non-Potable Uses at the Household Level at Wisma IEM, Kuala Lumpur. The workshop offered off-campus technical training and knowledge transfer to engineers, policymakers, and residents on safe and efficient rainwater harvesting systems. USM’s representative, Ir. Gs. Ts. Dr. Chang Chun Kiat, presented innovative methods to enhance the safety and sustainability of rainwater reuse at household scale. This event directly supported practical water conservation through capacity-building and skill development for external stakeholders, enabling wider community adoption of water reuse systems.

Internationally, USM’s participation in the Green Energy Innovation and Sustainable Development Technology Exchange Conference 2024 in Fuzhou, China, further amplified Malaysia’s contributions to sustainable water conservation technologies. Representing REDAC, Dato’ Dr. Nor Azazi Zakaria presented the BIOECODS – Nature-Based Solution, demonstrating how eco-engineering integrates with hydrological systems to improve stormwater management and protect aquatic ecosystems. This off-campus engagement reflected USM’s continuing role in advancing practical and research-based water conservation solutions beyond Malaysia.

Through these impactful off-campus engagements, USM demonstrates its ongoing commitment to supporting practical water conservation beyond its campuses, empowering communities, professionals, and governments to adopt sustainable water management practices that safeguard resources for future generations.