By Nasrullah Uul (UKM Intern)
Pix Ikhwan Hashim

BANGI, 24 March 2015 – Academics and researchers can be persuaded to contribute their expertise through research and charitable work to ensure the survival of future generations.

Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Ministry Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Hj Nik said an environmentally sustainable management in Malaysia can be  implemented in the context of sustainable development based on economic and social development and environmental protection.

Speaking at the opening of a workshop called  Understanding and Responding to Climate Change for Policy Makers,  here today, Dr Rahim said this is in accordance with the National Environmental Policy for the continued economic, social and cultural progress as well as raising the standards pf living of Malaysians through sound environmentally policies  and sustainable development.

Also present were Prof Dato’ Dr Sharifah Mastura Syed Abdullah, the  Chair holder of Climate Change (UKM-SDF) and director of the Institute of Climate Change, along with chief executive officer of the Sime Darby Foundation (SDF) Hjh Yatela Zainal Abidin.

Prof Mastura said volunteer activities and academic involvement in such activities is a challenge because the core role of of a university is  research and knowledge transfer.

So the academic community should provide insight into the importance of protecting the environment through charitable works.

Yatela, in turn, when opening the workshop, said the government, academia, non-governmental organizations and the communities must have the same goal, namely to contribute ideas and energy to preserve the environment.

Yatela said this workshop was quite compatible with the objectives of the YSD’s objectives; Namely the preservation of animals and the environment, such as protecting wildlife and conserving oil palm plantations.

The programme, organised by the Chair of Climate Change (UKM-SDF) and the Climate Change Institute was in collaboration with the Institute for Environment (EiMAS), Department of Environment Malaysia.

The workshop lasted three days, in which 9 speakers and experts in their respective fields discussed issues concerning the environment and how to conserve it.