From left to right front row - UDA Land South Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Muhammad Ismail Dasuki and Johor Education Department director Mohd Hanafi Samad exchanging documents of the Note of Understanding witnessed by UDA Holdings Bhd president and cheif executive officer Datuk Mohd Salem Kailany (left back row) and Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
UDA Holdings Bhd (UDA) is taking proactive initiatives to raise better awareness and responsibility among students and local community towards environmental-related matters.
President and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Salem Kailany pointed out the initiatives are focusing on conserving and protecting natural resources.
“We are committed to contributing to raising sustainability knowledge among Johor school members and indirectly building up their capacity,’’ he said.
Mohd Salem said this after witnessing the signing of note of understanding (NoU) with UDA’s subsidiary UDA Land South Sdn Bhd (UDA Land South) and Johor Education Department (JPNJ).
Signing on behalf of UDA Land South was its chief operating officer Muhammad Ismail Dasuki while JPNJ was represented by director Mohd Hanafi Samad.
The event was also witnessed by the newly minted state education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin who is also Tanjung Surat lawmaker.
UDA Holdings Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Salem Kailany says the company is committed in contributing to raising sustainability knowledge among Johor school members. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
Mohd Salem said the signing of the NoU will witness UDA’s subsidiary and the department collaborate in implementing environment sustainability activities.
“It is set to benefitted both parties while serving its purpose in providing empowerment and activities,’’ he said.
Mohd Salem added this was in accordance with the Johor Sustainability Education Action Plan and Johor Sustainable Development Plan 2030 on school level.
He said the NoU also focuses on the effort to oversee the involvement and implementation of sustainability education programmes while coordinating the school's carbon footprint.
“It also adheres to the local mission in raising awareness, support and motivation for reducing carbon footprint among locals,’’ said Mohd Salem.
The strategic collaboration between the two parties fulfilled five out of nine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are being implemented by UDA and globally recognised.
The five goals are (3) Good Health and Well-Being, (5) Gender Equality, (6) Clean water and Sanitation, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities and (13) Climate Action.
“The effort is also concurrent with our new brand – L.I.F.E. – and acronym to Legacy, Integrated, Finesse and Enrich which is implemented across all business streams,’’ he said.
Mohd Salem said all this while continuing UDA’s legacy by giving attention to environment conservation and preservation and at the same time raising awareness on the healthy and balanced ecosystem.
Four schools – Sekolah Kebangsaan Kompleks UDA, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar UDA 2, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar UDA Utama and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Baru UDA under the “UDA Sustainability Schools”.
Each received RM5,000 to carry out various sustainability activities such as used cooking oil collection, used clothes collection, tree planting or gardening and others.
Johor education and information committe chairman Aznan Tamin hopes to see more government-linked companies, state-owned companies and private sector to come forward to participate in the environmental sustainability initiatives for schools in the state. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
Meanwhile, Aznan said the department will be looking at expanding the environmental initiatives to other schools in Johor in the near future.
“We want our students who are the future leaders of our country to have a better understanding and knowledge in taking care of the environment as part of nation building,’’ he said.
Aznan hoped to see more government-linked companies, state-owned companies and private sector come forward to participate in the environment sustainability initiatives.
