14 USM ENGINEERING CAMPUS DEPARTMENTS EARN FIVE-LEAF GREEN OFFICE RATING

USM, PENANG, 22 December 2025 - A total of 14 centres (PTJs) and schools from Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) Engineering Campus were awarded the highest five-leaf rating at the USM Green Office Rating Ceremony 2025, held here today.

Of the total, two PTJs received awards under the High-Impact Sustainability Project/Innovation/Initiative category, while seven others were presented with consolation awards in recognition of their consistent and impactful sustainability efforts at departmental level.

Recipients of the High-Impact Sustainability Project/Innovation/Initiative category were the School of Civil Engineering, for its The Leaf Catfish Farming Project: Greenhouse@SOCE>, and the Science and Engineering Research Centre (SERC), through its Clothing and Used Items Collection Programme 1.0 to 4.0.

Meanwhile, recipients of the Consolation Award comprised the Musa Mohamad Library, the University Occupational Safety and Health Unit (UKKP), the Health Unit, the River Engineering and Urban Drainage Research Centre (REDAC), the University Housing and Accommodation Centre, as well as the Registrar’s Department.

In addition, the School of Chemical Engineering received an award under the Sustainable Project category for organising the USM Lestari Fun Run.

Other PTJs and centres from the Engineering Campus that also achieved the five-leaf rating were the Campus Director’s Office, the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation (PPBLT), the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, the School of Mechanical Engineering, the Digital Transformation Centre (PTD) and the Self-Accreditation Centre (PSA).

USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, in his speech, stressed that the implementation of sustainability initiatives at the university was not driven by rankings or recognition alone, but by USM’s long-term commitment to sustainability.

“We have been practising this since 2008, not because of rankings, but because we genuinely believe in embedding sustainability within the university ecosystem,” he said.

He added that sustainability practices have long been integrated holistically across the campus, delivering tangible benefits to both students and staff.

At the ceremony, Abdul Rahman also officiated the launch of the Smart Drive-Thru Recycle Centre (DTRC), which he described as a practical and effective approach to strengthening recycling culture and systematic waste management at departmental level.

Meanwhile, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Industry and Community Network, Professor Dr. Azlan Amran, said the ceremony reflected the university’s sustained commitment to advancing its sustainability agenda.

“This year marks the third year of the green office rating implementation and the second time the ceremony has been organised. Notably, the number of PTJs achieving the five-leaf rating has increased, demonstrating the growing maturity of sustainability practices at USM,” he said.

He added that 120 submissions were received this year, with 72 PTJs attaining the five-leaf rating, representing a 40% increase compared with 2024, while 32 PTJs achieved four leaves, reflecting consistent performance improvement year-on-year.

Azlan noted that the achievements aligned with the primary objective of the Green Office Rating initiative, which is to cultivate and strengthen sustainability practices across all PTJs through assessments based on comprehensive and integrated indicators.

Text: Siti Faizah Abd Halim / Photo: Muhammad Taufik Abdul Rahman