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  Bernama 12 Oct 06
UiTM To Produce Futuristic, Environmentally Friendly Leaders
By Zabidi Ishar

PULAU TIOMAN, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- A group of 65 Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) students from the Machang branch in Kelantan recently were in Pulau Tioman to study and help preserve the environment.

For the two days they camped there, they did all they could to learn about the island, considered among the 10 most beautiful islands in the world, and its natural heritage. They planted trees, picked up rubbish and met with the locals in Kampung Tekek.

It was part of the Island Exploration Programme 2006 for the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) students.

APPRECIATING THE ENVIRONMENT

They came here with only one mission, that was, to learn to appreciate nature that in future can help them become environment-friendly leaders.

"We want to instill love for the environment in our hearts," that was the succinct explanation by UiTM's chairman for International Networking and Business Unit, Associate Professor Dr Mohd Shukri Omar, to Bernama.

"Imagine there are some CEOs of reputable companies who are insensitive to environmental issues. They are not serious in preserving the environment though they claim their organisations produce environment-friendly products."

Mohd Shukri said their failure to appreciate the environment contributed further to the environmental degradation through products that endangered the environment and consumers.

DWELLING ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

"That is why we at UiTM intend to teach all our students to love and appreciate the environment," he added.

The BBA students must pass the environment subject in the fifth semester which involves environmental activities outside the campus. Other than getting to know the latest issues on environment, the students study the impact, contribution and sensitivity of society to enviromental issues.

During their island stay, the students organised activities concerning the environment that involved the locals as well.

Dwelling into the matter further, Mohd Shukri said the students compiled various data from the locals and foreign visitors regarding environmental problems. "We also collected data from various places in the country on the issue and a report will be tabled at an international seminar in Kota Baharu in December," he said.

Meanwhile their lecturer, Saripah Abdul Latif, said the local community felt proud that the results of the study would be discussed at an international seminar.

ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES

"Though they are still at the learning stage, their contribution means a lot to the nation and as their lecturer, I'm very proud of them," she said.

The BBA programme head, Tuan Rosli Tuan Hassan, said UiTM would conduct more of such programmes as they could contribute to the well-being of the people and nation.

He said it was not only for the sake of learning, but could also help in finding solutions to some of the environmental problems.

Meanwhile, the programme's deputy director Mohd Rushaidi Fauzi said the field work would make the students more sensitive to environmental issues and in future when they hold leadership positions, such issues would be given priority.

"The environment programmes is useful as we can look deeper at the relevant issues," said student Norasheken Che Hussin. Another student, Nurul Anuar Hibatullah, hoped that what they learned from the programme would help them emerge as a generation that is sensitive to the environment. -- BERNAMA
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