UKM Taking Holistic Approach For Sustainable Development: Says Its VC
By Shahfizal Musa
Pix Abd Raai Osman
BANGI, 17 Nov. 2011- There is a need for a continuous effort to be undertaken to tackle environmental issues so as to benefit the future generation, Vice Chancellor of the National University of Malaysia (UKM), Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hassan Shahabudin said.
In line with this, UKM is taking a holistic approach for sustainable development in its teaching, researches and services so that its natural resources can be harnessed in a sustainable manner, she said.
Prof Sharifah Hapsah cited as an example the exposure of students from its Graduate School of Business to a series of environmental programmes aimed at grooming them to be entrepreneurs and corporate executives who are environmentally conscious.
She said that the exploitation of resources is increasing at an alarming rate. Thus wisdom and foresight is required to ensure the sustainability of the fragile global ecosystem.
She said this in her speech at the opening the three day symposium ISENAR 2011 organised by the Institute of Environment and Development (LESTARI) which ends yesterday. Her speech was read by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Datuk Dr Noor Azlan bin Ghazali
The symposium brought together over 120 researchers to share their latest research findings on various aspects of environmental studies such as Green Technology. Climate Change, Conservation and Pollution Management. It also discussed issues on harnessing natural resources in a sustainable manner. 
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), Datuk Sri Douglas Unggah Embas who officially opened the symposium said Malaysia is blessed with mega diversity in natural resources thus being ranked at number 12 in the world Biodiversity Index.
He said because of that the country should never be complacent when it comes to the environment as there is a lot more that needs to be done. His speech was read by Deputy Secretary General 11 NRE, Dr Che Abdul Rahim Hj Nik.
Present at the opening ceremony was The Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Prof Dr Sahrim Hj. Ahmad, Deputy Director of Lestari, Prof Dr Che Azizi Ali and Chairman of the Organising committee, Prof Dr Salmijah Surif.