Since time immemorial, rivers have been the vital essence of human existence and life on earth. However, man’s ruthless pursuit of progress has come at a steep cost, now endangering our freshwaters at alarming speed. Man-made global warming has intensified both floods and famine, and slowly it diminishes the quality of life-giving H2O for life on land and below water.
In 2005, the United Nations recognised this looming catastrophe and announced World Rivers Day on the fourth Sunday of September each year. Its purpose was to heighten public awareness of the crisis facing rivers worldwide and to coordinate global efforts towards their preservation.
Naturally, Quest International University (QIU) – a progressive, service-minded institute of higher learning – considers safeguarding the environment for future generations a key component of its educational and social mission.
We’re proud to report that this year our staff, students, and academics across faculties played a leading role in highlighting the importance of rivers in Perak by partnering with state government agencies to commemorate World Rivers Day on 24 September 2023.
This year’s celebration, bearing the theme ‘Waterways in Our Community’, was held at Taman Rekreasi Kolam Sungai Pinji in Tanjung Rambutan. The event was jointly hosted by QIU, the Ipoh City Council (MBI), the Global Environment Centre (GEC), and the Perak Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS).
Distinguished state government officials and public representatives graced the occasion with their presence, led by Dato Seri Ir. Mohamad Nizar Bin Jamaluddin – Chairperson of the Perak Infrastructure, Energy, Water, and Public Transport Committee – who officiated the event. QIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Zita Mohd Fahmi also spoke at the opening ceremony.
Participants from the local community eagerly partook in a variety of insightful and enjoyable activities. They performed exercises to monitor river health, planted trees, went plogging for nature, saw an environmental awareness exhibition, and browsed the green products on display.
The event sought to forge a long-term partnership between the stakeholders to improve the surroundings and facilities at Taman Rekreasi Kolam Sungai Pinji for the benefit of Ipoh residents. Moreover, it strove to raise public awareness about the importance of sustainability and best practices to conserve the Kinta River basin.
Another goal was laying the groundwork for a smart collaboration and capacity-building platform. This would allow all stakeholders, target groups, and Friends of the Kinta River Basin (FoKiRB) to adopt an integrated approach towards conserving the basin.
Congratulations, QIU academics, students, and staff for passionately doing your part in saving our rivers and securing our future! Your efforts are a testament to the blazing spirit of altruism that is baked in the university’s DNA.
