Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has further solidified its commitment towards sustainability by introducing a new plan for developing a green and sustainable campus. The initiative is in line with UMT’s aims to become the leader in environmental sustainability and conservation and aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDG).

UMT is active in renewable energy research, especially related to marine sources such as solar, wave, and wind. The research aims to find alternatives to fossil fuel for use in the shipping and other sectors.

“Green energy is one of the important components in our sustainability effort. With this initiative, we will not only be able to reduce the carbon footprint but also provide an opportunity for students and researchers to directly explore the green technology,” said UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim.

In addition, UMT has also launched a zero-plastic campaign on campus and at nearby markets. The campaign encouraged replacing single-use plastic products with environmentally friendly items such as paper bags, metal straws, and biodegradable food containers. Students and staff were encouraged to bring their own food containers and water bottles to promote a green culture.

UMT also involved the local community through the Collective Sustainability project that focussed on the conservation of nearby beaches and mangroves. The projects not only provided positive impacts towards the local ecosystem but also became a practical learning platform for UMT students involved.

As part of the efforts to promote a sustainability culture, UMT will be organizing the UMT Sustainability Day 2025 on 15 January. The one-day programme will be held at UMT campus with various interesting activities taking place, including Station Game – a fun interactive game for all ages, Living Lab – an innovative exhibit on environmental conservation, Electrical vehicle expo, Sustainability Activity Expo, Colouring Contest – a fun creative activity for children, and Food Truck sale.

The UMT Sustainability Day 2025 aims to cultivate the awareness and impart knowledge of sustainability while strengthening the relationship between the staff and the local community.

Although the sensor technology has been applied at several buildings for electricity and water management, UMT plans to widen the sustainability initiative by developing a Smart Green Campus that will combine the smart technology to monitor and manage the usage of energy and water and the handling of waste more efficiently through the IoT adaptation. The effort is expected to not only reduce the operational costs but also strengthen UMT’s image as a world-class sustainable university.

The move serves as proof of UMT’s commitment in conserving the environment that sets an example to other higher learning institutions in Malaysia. The implementation of the initiative will help UMT ensure a greener future for its campus and also provide positive impacts to future generations.