INTI International College Penang took significant strides towards advancing sustainable digital practices through its event, the Sustainable Digital Week, held from July 7th to 10th, 2023. Organized by the Centre for Australian Degree Programmes (CADP), this initiative engaged students in enlightening workshops, impactful presentations, and exhibitions that raised awareness about the essential role of sustainable practices in the digital sphere.
The event was a collaborative effort by the Kookaburras CADP Club and partners, including the UHSociety, C.O.M.M. Society, Debate & Public Speaking Club, and HYPE+. Over the course of four days, it provided insights into Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their immediate impact on both the environment and our daily lives.
The event kicked off with the “SDG INTI Innovators: Presentation Challenge,” a platform that showcased student innovations addressing SDG challenges to a distinguished panel of judges. The winning duo, comprising Helena Tan Yee Xuan and Tan Poh Chuan from the Bachelor of Business (3+0) program in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology, presented their project “SDG and Recycling Bins in School.”
Helena Tan Yee Xuan (left) and Tan Poh Chuan (right), both currently pursuing the Bachelor of Business (3+1) programme in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology won the “SDG INTI Innovators: Presentation Challenge,” bringing home RM300 cash prize.
Helena explained, “Our innovation aimed to make SDGs more convenient and accessible. We focused on a specific issue and provided a practical solution in alignment with Goal 12 of responsible production and consumption.”
Taking on Goal 12, the team emphasized the significance of introducing recycling bins in schools as a crucial step towards responsible consumption and production.
Tan Poh Chuan, Helena’s teammate, added, “We selected recycling bins as our solution due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Placing more recycling bins across the campus empowered students to develop environmental consciousness.”
On the second day, the SDG Art Exhibition Display allowed students to express their creativity through art and photography. Their artistic submissions captured their understanding of SDG objectives, their importance, and their pivotal role in achieving them. The event also featured an insightful talk by Ms. Joyline Chai, co-founder of Global Hemisphere Group, a pioneering force in Comprehensive Sustainability Consulting & Training Solutions and Corporate Sustainability Strategic Planning. She discussed “Creating a Sustainable Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in a Business Setting.”
Artwork created by students on display at the SDG Photography Competition and SDG Art Exhibition.
Her talk covered a range of pertinent issues faced in Malaysia, including the excessive waste generated during ocean cleaning activities in Penang. She emphasized the significance of motivating young people to actively engage in sustainable entrepreneurship activities such as skill development, policy advocacy, and green business initiatives.
The SDG week culminated with students and faculty members joining forces to clean up the beach at Queensbay Coast, promoting the idea of individual responsibility in safeguarding the environment and managing waste properly.
Ms. Joyline Chai, co-founder of Global Hemisphere Group, encourages students to actively engage in sustainable entrepreneurship activities, including capacity building, policy advocacy, and green business initiatives.
Muhamad Amirul Faiz Abd Ghani, Head of the CADP Programme and an integral part of the organizing committee, underscored the importance of nurturing SDG awareness within the community.
He stated, “This campaign reminds the community that the well-being of our world relies on the actions of future leaders and generations. Each small act plays a vital role in improving our community and society as a whole. Fostering understanding and advocating for sustainable practices within the digital landscape holds the promise of building a more harmonious and sustainable future.”
Students of INTI International College Penang proudly pose with their collected trash during the SDG Beach cleanup at Queensbay Coast, Penang.