USM Commitment to Promoting Conscious Water Usage in the Wider Community

In 2024, Universiti Sains Malaysia actively promoted conscious water usage beyond its campuses through community education, outreach programmes, and collaborative environmental initiatives. These efforts aimed to increase public awareness of water conservation, sustainable resource management, and responsible daily practices that contribute to long-term water security.

Sustainable Water Resources Management Program with the University of Tasmania, Australia

USM, through the School of Distance Education (PJJ) and the River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC), collaborated with the University of Tasmania under the University Global Opportunity Program (UniGO) to organize the Sustainable Water Resources Management Program. The initiative, held at the USM Engineering Campus in 2024, showcased the Bio-Ecological Drainage System (BIOECODS) as a live demonstration of sustainable water management technologies.

The programme brought together students and lecturers from both universities to share best practices in responsible water management. Participants engaged in interactive activities, including campus cycling tours, wetland plant planting, and a raft-building challenge at the BIOECODS recreational pond. These hands-on experiences promoted awareness of water conservation, stormwater reuse, and the use of nature-based solutions, inspiring participants to adopt sustainable water practices in their communities.

TikTok Contest 4: “Together Saving Our Water” (“Bersama Jimatkan Air Kita”)

In conjunction with Malaysia’s Independence Day celebration in 2024, the USM Geography Club, in collaboration with the GeoInformatic Unit (GIU), Water Watch Penang (WWP), and the Malaysian Geographical Society (GeogMalaysia), organized the TikTok Contest themed “Together Saving Our Water.” Sponsored by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), the contest encouraged creative public participation to raise awareness on water conservation through social media engagement.

This campaign invited participants from the wider community to create short educational videos promoting mindful and sustainable water use. Through digital outreach and creative expression, USM successfully extended its message of water responsibility beyond the campus environment, engaging a diverse audience in the practice of saving water.

Networking Trip with UKM: Short River Education Programme

USM collaborated with Water Watch Penang (WWP) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) to organize a Short River Education Programme at Taman Jajar Sungai Ara, Penang. This community-based learning activity aimed to promote river ecosystem awareness and responsible water management among students and local participants.

Participants conducted field-based river monitoring exercises that included physical, chemical, and biological assessments to evaluate river health. They tested parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and nutrient levels while identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality. The programme provided practical exposure to river conservation and pollution prevention, while cultivating civic responsibility and environmental stewardship.

Through these initiatives, USM and its partners have actively promoted conscious water usage in the wider community, fostering public understanding of water sustainability and inspiring collective action to protect freshwater ecosystems.