KKTSS USM STRENGTHENS SUSTAINABILITY AWARENESS THROUGH E-WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

NIBONG TEBAL, 23 June 2026 - The Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus (KKTSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) continues to strengthen its commitment towards campus sustainability initiatives through the organisation of the E-Waste Management Briefing Programme: Awareness, Responsibility and Sustainable Electronic Waste Disposal Practices.

Held at the Seminar Hall, Science and Engineering Research Centre (SERC), the programme aimed to enhance campus community awareness on the importance of managing electronic waste or e-waste in a proper, safe, and responsible manner.

The briefing featured Senior Assistant Director of the Department of Environment (DOE) Penang, Intan Arnieza Abdul Razak as the invited speaker, who shared knowledge on e-waste management methods and disposal practices in accordance with sustainability principles.

Also present was SERC Coordinator, Hariy Pauzi, who delivered the welcoming remarks and introduced sustainability management initiatives and green efforts implemented at KKTSS.

Through the sharing session, participants were exposed to responsible e-waste management practices, including the importance of separating damaged, obsolete, or unused electronic equipment from the general waste stream.

Hariy said the organisation of this programme was significant as it was not merely an information-sharing session, but also an effort to build understanding and shared responsibility among campus community members towards more systematic e-waste management.

“The programme also emphasised the role of individuals and organisations in ensuring that electronic waste is disposed of through the proper channels to reduce the risks of environmental pollution and negative impacts on human health,” he said.

He added that daily life today is increasingly dependent on the use of various electronic equipment such as mobile phones, laptops, printers, cables, batteries, digital accessories, and other technological devices.

“When these items are damaged, obsolete or no longer in use, they cannot be disposed of like ordinary waste as e-waste contains certain components that may affect the environment and human health if not properly managed,” he said.

He further emphasised that awareness of e-waste management must be translated into daily practices, whether in offices, laboratories, academic centres, or homes.

According to him, the organisation of this programme is also in line with the spirit of World Environment Day, which highlights that environmental preservation is not solely the responsibility of certain parties but requires collective involvement.

Meanwhile, Hariy stated that the sustainability agenda remains one of KKTSS’s priorities, in line with USM’s efforts to strengthen green campus practices, responsible resource management and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“This programme supports several related SDG agendas, including SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals,” he said.

He also said that strategic collaboration with the Penang Department of Environment, Digital Transformation Centre (PTD), APEX, campus management, the organising committee, as well as active participation from the campus community, would help foster a more environmentally conscious campus ecosystem towards sustainability and waste management.

Overall, the programme not only enhanced campus community awareness on the importance of e-waste management, but also served as a catalyst in promoting more effective and responsible electronic waste disposal practices at KKTSS USM.

Text and Photo: Courtesy of Ts. Syafiq Shaharuddin