The following have been extracted from a short write-up on UniMAP Sustainable Campus initiatives (then more popularly known as UniMAP Green Campus initiative) before 2016. Some of the programs have been extended, while others are kept on hold due to various challenges.
Message from Dato’Professor Kamarudin Hussin, UniMAP Vice Chancellor The idea to make UniMAP (at that time KUKUM) a ‘nature campus’ was mooted in 2002 during the very first discussion of the construction of University’s main campus in Pauh Putra. It was envisaged that a site, which is in harmony with nature, was to be built. Indeed, ‘nature campus’, encompassing all known sustainability notions, is a philosophy that forms the basis of UniMAP’s development and operation, no matter the location – whether in Pauh Putra, Sungai Chuchuh, Kangar, Jejawi, Kulim, Kuala Lumpur, or at other localities. The Pauh Putra campus – which is UniMAP’s biggest university grounds – is dubbed ‘Nature Campus’ in the hope that its sustainable green essentials are emulated not just by all UniMAP campus sites, but also by the community-at-large. Today, some 12 years down the road, although much is yet to be completed, much has already been accomplished. I look forward to more green sustainable initiatives in the months- and years-to-come, that will propel UniMAP to the forefront of this very important endeavour.
- Datuk Professor Dr Kamarudin Hussin, Vice Chancellor, UniMAP June, 2015
Green Procurement/Purchase means purchasing goods and services that are environmentally friendly. This means goods and services purchased will have little environmental impact on human health and the environment WITHOUT compromising the quality of the original environmentally unfriendly item. Alternative green purchases should also be more efficient in terms of energy consumption. Although initial purchases may seem marginal, on average, this practice gives more mileage to the university.
Thus, an initiative was generated to design the Green Procurement Guidelines as a purchase guide for this university. It is hoped to provide guidelines for staff and university students on goods and services purchasing methods that will minimize or reduce the impact on human health and the environment through the purchase of energy cost savings goods. The initiative is also in line with the government's objectives to embrace green purchases through the application of 'Introduction to Green Procurement ' (Government Green Procurement) issued by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water as the main reference. In addition, some of the local and international procedures have been used as a guide in formulating these guidelines.
Based on the guidelines, the products or services purchased should: 1. Bearing the environmental label and with low rates of energy or water consumption (as with SIRIM Eco Label) 2. Features energy saving or "sleep" mode when not in use 3. Purchased from the environmental affiliated suppliers such as ISO 14001, SIRIM Eco Label, the Prime Minister's Hibiscus Award, and other environmental awards 4. Incorporating recycled materials 5. Features trouble-free/easy repair or upgrading to extend its life cycle 6. Features 'green' that can reduce or minimize the effects of environmental degradation 7. Taking into account the quantity of energy consumed or materials needed 8. Be concerned about some of the features that have an impact on the environment such as eco-friendly elements, tradable or suitable for donations after the shelf life 9. Locally installed to reduce transportation whilst reducing the carbon effect on the environment 10. The product is safe to use, less toxic or non-toxic 11. Using renewable materials that are bio-degradable with high rates of biodegradation
In addition, to facilitate the use of these guidelines, the classification of green buying guides by category products / services have been systemized, such as furniture, lab equipments, stationery , printing tool and etc. It is hoped that these guidelines will lead to a more effective green practices, particularly in the effort towards a Sustainable Campus in UniMAP
1. What is Sustainable Campus? UniMAP Sustainable Campus is a community of staff and students who have the collective aim of improving the effectiveness of energy usage, sustaining resources and increasing the quality of the environment by implementing projects and programmes that contribute to a healthy and conducive lifestyle.
2. Who are the teams in the UniMAP Sustainable Campus initiative? Currently there are 12 teams comprising Energy Management, Transportation, People, Waste, Food, Land & Water, Building, Climate, Procurement, and Cannibalization.
3. What do the teams do? The teams carry out projects relating to energy savings, tree planting, awareness programmes, recycling, etc. The biggest project undertaken at the moment is UniMAP's U-Sikal, whereby students are encouraged to use bicycles in the campus. Click here for more information on the U-Sikal project.
4. How do we know if the initiatives taken up are effective? We monitor the progress of the projects and solicit your feedback to ensure that they (the projects) are effective and on track. Please let us know what you think so that we can evaluate how effective the projects are, and how they can be improved.
5. Can I be a part of UniMAP's Sustainable Campus initiative? How? Of course! Just email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Alternatively, you can drop a comment in our facebook, or contact the team leaders directly. Their email addresses are given here.
6. I have some good ideas that the teams can take up. Whom do I give the ideas to? That's great. Please email directly to the team leader or just to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Or just drop a word in our facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/UniMAP.Sustainable.Campus)
7. Whom do I contact regarding UniMAP's Sustainable Campus initiative? Just email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recycling is now institutionalised in UniMAP, whereby staff and students throw used paper, cardboard and plastic/glass bottles in designated bins provided throughout the campus. Hence, recycle bins have now replaced traditional trash cans in many university buildings. It has now been seen that the level of general waste created for each department has dropped. This initiative helps meet our overall carbon targets and to keep waste disposal costs down.
The Energy Management Team under the Sustainable Campus Project has managed to save electricity bills by an average of RM 38,772 per month commencing May , 2013.
The saving is a total success when the Sustainable Campus (Energy Saving) team , headed by Dr Samila Mat Zali , in collaboration with the Jabatan Pembangunan ( Mr. Saifol Nizra Sharif ) installed a ' chiller 'in stages for the air conditioning in the Pauh Putra Main Campus. There are three chiller plants ; Chiller Plant 1 ( which operates for the Library , School of Mechatronics , School of Computers and School of Manufacturing ) is activated at 7.00am every day except on weekends, Chiller Plant 2 ( Pusat Kejuruteraan, School of Microelectronics , School of Electrical Systems )is activated at 7.15 am every day except on weekends, and Chiller Plant 3 ( Lecture Hall Complex ) is activated at 7.10 am every day except on weekends. The installations that were done in stages have reduced the ' peak demand' which generated each time the chiller is activated and this will directly reduced the electricity bills
From the data collected by Jabatan Pembangunan, for Chiller Plant 1 , the power consumptions of 27,751 kWh per week has been reduced to an average savings of 19,128 kWh per week. This value, if translated into financial value is about RM8622 a week.
For Chiller Plant 2, the power consumptions of 2999 kWh per week have been reduced to an average saving of 2457 kWh per week. This value, if translated into financial value is about RM542 per week.
As for Chiller Plant 3 , the power consumption of 1897 kWh per week has been reduced to an average saving of 1369 kWh per week. This value, if translated into financial value is about RM1369 a week.
This means that the overall average savings is about RM9693 per week or RM 3,.772 per month as mentioned above.
What is U-Sikal service? U-Sikal is a program that fully supports university’s initiative in making Kampus Alam Pauh Putra as a 'Sustainable Campus'. U-Sikal service will make our campus more environmentally friendly. U-Sikal service includes rent-a-bike as a transport medium for a minimum fee for the use of residents around the campus in Pauh Putra. Currently, there are five bike stations located around the campus; bus terminal, library, hostel (PFI), Lecture Hall Complex and Boulevard. U-Sikal service uses the "Radio Frequency Identification" (RFID) concept technology, which was developed in UniMAP. Users only need to use RFID cards to use the bikes provided. These bikes will be locked at the designated 'parking bay' and can only be unlocked by using RFID card.
Will I be able to use the U-Sikal service? U-Sikal service can be used by students and staff who purchase the U-Sikal service card.
How much is the fee?
First
10 mins
Additional
10 mins
Additional
10 mins
Additional
10 mins
Subsequent
30 mins
Maximum service
8 hours after activation
Penalty for Returning
U-Sikal
after 8 hours
Penalty for
Not Returning
U-Sikal
0 –
20 mins
21 mins -
30 mins
31 mins –
40 mins
41 mins –
50 mins
51 mins –
60 mins
Free
RM0.20
RM0.50
RM0.90
RM1.50
RM0.50
RM8.50
RM50.00
Per day
(24hours)
RM400.00
Where can I buy the bicycle cards? For a start, U-Sikal cards can be purchased at Bus Terminal U-Sikal Station
What is the price of a bicycle card? The price of a U-Sikal card is RM30 with a credit worth RM10. As a promotion, the price for the U-Sikal card is RM10, with a credit worth RM10 for the first 100 early birds
How long is the validity of the card? (Is there an expiration date?) U-Sikal card has no expiration date and can be used based on your credit limit. If the credit limit is fully utilized, users can reload the credit limit at any of the sales counter
Can I check the balance of my card? Users can check the card balance at the sales counter
Should I return the bike card (no longer be using the services of U-Sikal), will I get a refund? Users will be refunded with the remaining RM10 credit value in the card.
What happens if I lose my card? Users have to report the loss at the sale counters. Users need to purchase a new card if you want to continue using U-Sikal service
What is the U-Sikal operating hours? U-Sikal operating hours is from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm
What happens if I don’t return the bike on time? If the user fails to return the bike on time, the user can still return the bike at the nearest U-Sikal automatic stations that operate 24 hours a day. Currently, there are two U-Sikal automatic stations at the Library and Lecture Hall Complex
What if the bike I rented is not in good condition/damaged? Users are advised to make sure the bike selected is in good condition before renting. If rented bike is damaged during the rental period, users are requested to return the bike to the nearest U-Sikal station and lodge a report to the phone number stated
What if the rented bike went missing? A penalty of RM400 will be charged to the user if the bike is lost during rental
Can I take my bike outside the campus? Absolutely NO. U-Sikal service can only be used in the Pauh Putra Main Campus only
Why are some stations automated, while some are non-automatic (manual)? Implementation of U-Sikal is carried out in stages. At the initial stage, only 2 stations work automatically. All stations will start working automatically in the near future
Who can I contact if there is a problem with the U-Sikal? If you have any problems regarding U-Sikal, kindly contact these numbers 013-4097403, 012-4353700 and 04-9798885 for assistance
Can I wear baju kurung when biking? No, because this is quite dangerous. It also does not comply with the dress code while cycling
What is the etiquette of cycling in UniMAP?
Cycling Dress Code
1) Users must wear long pants. Sarung is prohibited when riding a bike 2) Users must wear flat covered shoes. Slippers, sandals and high heels are not allowed
Cycling Ethics
1) Cycle at the left lane (just like the motorists) 2) Do not cross or turn in a hurry. Stop before turning and give hand signals for turning and slow down 3) Do not cycle recklessly 4) Keep both hands on the bike handles 5) Do not use mobile phones or other items while cycling 6) Do not carry a pillion while riding a bike 7) Use the bike paths provided 8) Prioritize the pedestrians
Can I give ideas to improve U-Sikal? Absolutely! The University and UniMAP Holdings are always looking to improve the quality of services provided. Call us at 013-4097403, 012-4353700 or 04-9798885
