ECO WEEK 2024: SUPPORTING THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) EFFORTS TO MAKE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY A GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

From June 1 to June 9, 2024, Eco Week activities were held in conjunction with the celebration of World Environment Day (WED), which is observed annually on June 5. This nine-day program is a student initiative aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of preserving and conserving the environment.

This program was organized by the Environmental & Occupational Safety Health (EOSH) Secretariat for the 2023/2024 session, from June 1 to June 9, 2024, taking place both in person at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and online. The program involved 828 participants, consisting of USM students from all three campuses, USM staff, and staff from the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM).

Eco Week was filled with various beneficial activities throughout the week, including the TikTok De Nature and Kreatif Eco-Pouch competitions, Pasar Local: Zero Waste Zone, a webinar titled "Towards A Safer Travel Lifestyle," and an exhibition on Environment and Occupational Safety.

Starting on June 1, 2024, a creative video competition, TikTok De Nature, took place and continued until June 9, 2024. This online activity, conducted through the TikTok app, required participants to upload creative videos with the theme "Save the Earth." Nine participants joined this competition, allowing them to learn more about the importance of the environment and apply this knowledge in their daily lives. Additionally, participants could hone their talents and creativity in video recording and editing skills.

Following this, a sales activity incorporating 3R elements, Pasar Local: Zero Waste Zone, took place on June 5, 2024, at Dataran Kelabu, USM. This sales activity emphasized the 'reuse' concept, where students sold second-hand clothing, also known as 'preloved' items, in an effort to reduce waste. Pasar Local not only raised awareness about the importance of the environment but also provided students with opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills.

On June 7, 2024, a webinar on travel safety was conducted online via the Webex application. The webinar, "Towards A Safer Travel Lifestyle," was attended by 555 USM students from all three campuses. Prof. Fatma Lestari, a lecturer at Universitas Indonesia Depok, West Java, was the guest speaker, sharing valuable information to educate students about the importance of travel safety.

At the same time, a themed bag drawing competition, Kreatif Eco-Pouch, also took place on June 7, 2024. This competition, held at the Main Hall, USM, involved eight participants. This creative contest provided students the opportunity to visualize the environment through their artistic perspectives, resulting in various unique and meaningful artworks.

As a conclusion to Eco Week, an exhibition focusing on the environment, occupational health, and mental health was held. This activity was a collaboration with the Mentor Rakan Siswa (MRS), USM, for the 2023/2024 session. The event was enlivened with various interesting booths, featuring invitations to various external agencies. To emphasize the environmental concept, the Department of Environment (DOE) was invited. The 21st Battalion Royal Malay Regiment (21 RAMD) and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) were also present to provide insights into safety agencies in Malaysia. The Department of Occupational Safety and Health Malaysia (DOSH) and the USM Occupational Safety and Health Unit (UKKP) were also present to provide explanations about the safety and health industry in Malaysia, especially in Kelantan.

The closing of Eco Week with the MRS Eco Fiesta was officiated by Professor Dr. Shaiful Bahari Ismail, Director of the USM Health Campus, as a sign of support for students' efforts to integrate environmental elements within themselves. Also in attendance were Dr. Abdul Razak Sulaiman, Dean of the School of Medical Sciences, USM; Prof. Dr. Wan Rosli Wan Ishak, Dean of the School of Health Sciences, USM; Mohd Nasrom Mohd Nawi, Lecturer in the Environmental and Occupational Health Program and Advisor to the EOSH Secretariat; Dr. Nurul Izzah Abdul Samad, Lecturer in the Environmental and Occupational Health Program and Advisor to Eco Week; Mohd Norzulhairie Othman, Chief Psychology Officer, Counseling, Entrepreneurship, Career & Alumni Unit and Advisor to the Mentor Rakan Siswa (MRS) Secretariat, USM Health Campus, and Eco Week Program Director, Nayli Batrisyia Mohd Nizam.