A pioneering partnership involving 30 lecturers from Multimedia University (MMU) and eight other esteemed institutions has culminated in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) venture named ‘WAKE UP TIOMAN: Mitigating Climate Change Through Social Innovation.’ Taking place from July 20 to 22, 2023, in Kampung Tekek, Tioman Island, under the leadership of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), this endeavour showcases the integration of environmental preservation, community development, and climate change mitigation, with a focus on enhancing the local community’s well-being.
Guided by Project Director Dr. R Kanesaraj Ramasamy of MMU, the initiative is structured around three pivotal sub-projects: Coral Restoration, Climate Change Warrior, and Waste Management. These interconnected efforts strive to cultivate awareness among Tioman Island’s residents about the dire consequences of coral reef degradation, the urgency of addressing climate change, and the pivotal role of effective food waste management in sustainability.
Drawing expertise from a consortium of universities including MMU, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UNIZA), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP), and Universiti Teknikal Melaka (UTEM), the project signifies a multi-pronged approach to address the island’s complex environmental and societal challenges. Dr. Kanesaraj’s comprehensive vision encompasses the establishment of new coral reefs, the empowerment of young climate advocates within the local school community, and education on prudent food waste practices, all harmoniously working to steer Tioman Island toward a more sustainable future, marked by substantial contributions to climate change mitigation.
The inaugural event received distinguished guests, including Dato’ Mohd Sharil Abdullah, Director of Industry and Community Collaboration Division from the Department of Higher Education at the Ministry of Higher Education, and Mustaza Bin Mukri, Assistant Director of Student Development Sector from the Pahang State Education Department. With support from prominent sponsors like Yayasan Telekom Malaysia and Malaysia Rail Link, the ‘WAKE UP TIOMAN’ initiative incorporates the pivotal roles played by academic institutions and corporate entities in the collective endeavour to address global environmental challenges. Through this collaborative initiative, academia and industry align their efforts, fortifying the response to the pressing concerns of climate change.
