Annuar shows the way by planting a seedling on the UTS campus in Sibu.
STARTING next year, it will be made compulsory for new students at University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) to plant a tree each.
UTS board of directors chairman Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said this at the launch of “Le Tour de Restoration (LTDR) – Greening Sarawak’s Campaign 2.0” programme at UTS in Sibu.
“The trees will have the student’s name tagged on them,” he said, adding that the move was to help Sarawak achieve its target of planting 35 million trees in five years (2021-2025).
Dr Annuar, who is also Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Deputy Minister, said although UTS was the first university in Malaysia to achieve a Green Building Index “Platinum” rating, it could do much more to help conserve the environment.
He added that with assistance from Sarawak Forestry Department, UTS could use its 2.02ha botanical garden to plant special species of trees on peat soil so that people could learn more about the LTDR programme.
The Nangka assemblyman also said UTS should look into introducing courses related to green technology and green energy, to prevent brain drain.
“We want to be the champions in green energy. To do so, we need a lot of new innovations that will propel us to achieve that aim.
“I am sure UTS will lead the way with the help of the Forestry Department and other agencies, in making full use of our resources so that our students will not leave the country to look for jobs,” he said.
At the event, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between UTS and Sarawak Forestry Department.
The MoU is aimed at developing cooperation in human capital development and research, and publication.
