SAMARAHAN: The Department of Environment (DOE) and Tun Abdul Razak Teacher Education Institute (IPGKTAR) yesterday inked a strategic Certificate of Collaboration (COC) to implement environmental awareness programme in the institute.
IPGKTAR director Anis Alisya Abdullah signed for the institute while the DOE was represented by its director Hamzah Mohamad.
The institute becomes the 15th organisation in Sarawak to collaborate with DOE on environmental related programmes.
Hamzah said such collaboration was in line with the department’s transformation plan in engaging with the industry.
“We (DOE) have developed several smart and strategic partnerships with industries, Institutes of Higher Education and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to engage in environmental awareness activities.
“At the state level, the engagement and consultation sessions were held with all stakeholders,” he said, noting that the collaboration was one of the proactive steps in addressing environmental issues in Sarawak.
Among the programme/activities undertaken were Estecc Education In Schools programme, Enviro Run and Aerobathon programme, kindergarten environmental awareness programme, waste collection of household electronics, environmental awareness camps, Enviro Ride, talks, environmental quizzes, tree planting, exhibitions, hands-on activities, games, one-use plastic avoidance campaigns, coastal cleanups and others.
He hoped to see that such activities will be carried out consistently and not held as a one-off activity for the betterment of current and future generations.
Meanwhile, Anis said as DOE was an agency responsible for environmental issues, its expertise was very much needed by IPGKTAR.
“Such (collaborative) idea brings benefits to both parties because the institute aspires to create an eco-campus towards WWF’s Green Flag Award recognition.
“In addition, the DOE are able to promote environmental programmes by engaging the graduate teachers from IPGKTAR.”
She added that the institute have 963 graduate teachers of which 636 are full-time graduates and, they need good coordinators in order for this collaborative programme to work smoothly.
