TAR UMT students with one of the two murals they painted to deliver their message on conservation.
A GROUP of students from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) spent three-and-a-half days to complete a mural in Muar, Johor, depicting the symbiotic relationship between a healthy river ecosystem and life within and above ground.
The Communication and Creative Industries Faculty undergraduates and Pre-University students did not let the heat stop them from delivering their message on conservation in conjunction with World River Day.
It is celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of September as a reminder that the fight for pristine rivers is far from over.
The TAR UMT team continued on with their second mural the following week for another four days, this time spreading their message in Kulai.
TAR UMT’s advertising and strategic communications lecturer Cindy Poh Huay Yuet said, “Our university strives to provide students a learning experience beyond academic education and aims to nurture the youths to be agents of change who will transform the future.
“Projects like these open their eyes to environmental issues while showing that businesses can be both sustainable and profitable at the same time.
“And with the mural painting guided by an award-winning creative agency, our students get some industry experience while having some fun.”
“Championing environmental, social and economic sustainability is at the core of our 10-year roadmap and we are committed to incorporating the United Nations Sustainable Develop-ment Goals into the curriculum, co-curriculum and the university’s operation with deliverable and measurable impacts,” added Poh, who is also the programme leader.
The murals were an initiative by wastewater treatment specialist, Shielder Eco Waste Management, led by their creative partner, Muma Malaysia, and supported by customers who offered their premises for the murals to educate visitors, staff and factory workers on river conservation.
Shielder Eco Waste Manage-ment co-founder Dragon Lee said: “The mural project involves multiple parties and is a true reflection of any conservation efforts where everyone has an important part to play.
“The students have worked tirelessly to produce amazing murals and I thank our customers Yamazaki Seiga and Mars Global for collaborating with us on this CSR initiative.
“Together as one, we aim to create a long-term positive impact through awareness and sustainable solutions.”
Each location saw a team of 10 members painting friendly bacteria as cute water guardians working hard to maintain a healthy ecosystem to support life.
The mural has incorporated Malaysia’s iconic fauna, from the hawksbill sea turtle underwater to the classic mousedeer, tiger, sun bear, orang utan, Asian elephant and the flying hornbill on land.
Painting alongside the students was creative agency Muma’s co-founder and creative partner Choo Chee Wee.
