One of the more interesting 'give back to society' projects conducted by an automotive related company here in Malaysia is the Toyota Eco Youth competition. UMW Toyota Motor has organised Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) for the past 16 years with the aim of inculcating students in their teenage years on the importance of preserving the environment and putting in solutions that are environmentally sustainable. I found time to attend this year's award presentation ceremony and I have to say that it is a noble effort by UMW Toyota.
This year, 12 schools all over Malaysia presented their projects on conserving the environment at the 2017 Toyota Eco Youth Convention and Exhibition held at the Concorde Hotel recently.The programme involved a total of 72 students and 24 teachers was launched on 2 March 2017 and the final evaluation to select the winners was held on 10 October 2017. The day I attended was the announcement of the winners and also a presentation of the school that won.
SMK Raja Perempuan, Ipoh, Perak won this time around. It was also the first time that a school from Perak won. The project matter was interesting in that the girls from SMK Raja Perempuan actually managed a 100% success rate from their project, which was to stop illegal dumping of rubbish in two housing areas in Ipoh. In fact, it was so successful that the school is continuing their efforts in keeping the two areas clean as part of a long term effort together with the city council.
What caught my eye was the effort put into this project as well as all the other projects. I also looked through the documentation of the second place winner, SMK Lopeng Tengah, Miri which also won best exhibition, and have to say that the work and effort put into these projects were awe inspiring. This statement comes from a guy who used to prepare a lot of project papers once upon a time.
I hope more schools will participate in this competition next year or as long as UMW Toyota hold it. It opens up young minds to what is happening. It also gives them confidence and hope of a better and brighter future too.
Results
OVERALL WINNERS
1 CHAMPION SMK RAJA PEREMPUAN, IPOH, PERAK
2 1ST RUNNER UP SMK LOPENG TENGAH, MIRI, SARAWAK
3 2ND RUNNER UP SMK BALAI BESAR, DUNGUN, TERENGGANU
BEST PRESENTATION/CONVENTION
1 WINNER SMK PINGGAN-PINGGAN, PITAS, SABAH
BEST EXHIBITION
1 WINNER SMK LOPENG TENGAH, MIRI, SARAWAK
BEST WEBSITE
1 WINNER SMK LOPENG TENGAH, MIRI, SARAWAK
BEST TEACHERS Award
1 PN. ANDONG ROHAYA BINTI MUHAMMAD AMIN SMK RAJA PEREMPUAN, IPOH, PERAK
2 PN. NUR ‘AISYAH BINTI ABDUL HASHIM SMK RAJA PEREMPUAN, IPOH, PERAK
2017 TOYOTA ECO YOUTH PROGRAMME
PRESS RELEASE
STUDENTS PRESENTED THEIR EFFORTS IN REDUCING CARBON
FOOTPRINT UNDER UMW TOYOTA MOTOR’S SUSTAINABLE CSR
INITIATIVE
Toyota Eco Youth Programme Marks its 17 th Year in supporting the sustainable agenda in
Malaysia
Shah Alam, 11 October 2017 - 12 schools from different corners of the country presented
their projects on conserving the environment at the 2017 Toyota Eco Youth Convention and
Exhibition held today, organised by UMW Toyota Motor.
The programme involving 72 students and 24 teachers was launched on 2 March 2017 and
the final evaluation to select the winners was held on 10 October 2017.
UMW Toyota Motor has organised Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) for the past 16 years with the
aim of inculcating students in their teenage years on the importance of preserving the
environment and putting in solutions that are environmentally sustainable.
This year’s theme ‘’Reducing Carbon Footprint” is meaningful and significant as its effects on
global warming and climate change cannot be ignored anymore. Reducing carbon footprint
is directly related to curbing emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide,
methane, nitrous oxide and such to reduce the impact of earth warming.
Mr. Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor said, “Toyota Motor
Corporation established a global initiative - the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, which
identified 6 key environmental issues to be tackled in the next 3 decades such as CO2
reduction (in new vehicle, life cycle and plant), water usage optimization and establishing
societies that practise recycling as well as establishing future society that are in harmony
with nature.
“In Malaysia, Toyota has applied environmental best practices in our daily business
operations to lessen the impact towards the environment. Toyota has installed solar panels
at our assembly plant to reduce electricity consumption. We also introduced new methods in
waste water management and encourage planting more trees surrounding its compound as
well as participate in tree planting activities with communities,” he added.
Mr. Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor said, “Educating youth on environment is
one of the major corporate social responsibility effort embraced by UMW Toyota Motor. We
see students who participated in Toyota Eco Youth programme as an ambassador for
sustainable environment through conservation activities. The future belongs to them and
they will inherit and pass on this fragile earth to the next generation.”
He also pointed out that students who participated in the programme acquired useful skills
through the Toyota’s problem solving methodology. Apart from resolving environmental
issues, they could also improve their communication skills while building their self -
confidence and work as a team. We would like to record our thanks to the participating
schools, teachers, principals and the Ministry of Education for their support.’’
Also present at the ceremony was YB Dato’ P. Kamalanathan, Deputy Minister 1, Ministry of
Education, who described the Toyota Eco Youth as a well-developed eco programme. “Apart
from educating the students about the importance of environment conservation, the
programme also helps in building team spirit, learning how to network, negotiate and in
practising problem-solving skills,” he noted.
During the closing ceremony and exhibition, projects from the 12 participating schools were
displayed and judged.
Participating schools for 2017 TEY are:
1. SMK BANDAR PUTRA, SEGAMAT, JOHOR
2. SMK DATO' SYED AHMAD, KUALA NERANG, KEDAH
3. SMK TOK JANGGUT, PASIR PUTEH, KELANTAN
4. SMK BUKIT BARU, BUKIT BERUANG, MELAKA
5. SMK DATUK' HJ. ABDUL SAMAD, PORT DICKSON, NEGERI SEMBILAN
6. SMK ROMPIN PERMAI, KUALA ROMPIN, PAHANG
7. SMK RAJA PEREMPUAN, IPOH, PERAK
8. SMK PERMATANG TOK LABU, SEBERANG PERAI, PULAU PINANG
9. SMK PINGGAN-PINGGAN, PITAS, SABAH
10. SMK LOPENG TENGAH, MIRI, SARAWAK
11. SMK TELOK PANGLIMA GARANG, KUALA LANGAT, SELANGOR
12. SMK BALAI BESAR, DUNGUN, TERENGGANU
Winning school projects were selected based on project effectiveness in preserving the
environment and reducing carbon footprint, effective presentation and creative exhibition of
the projects. Teachers who guided the students were also honoured during the closing
ceremony. The most supportive teachers were selected based on their timely advice and
effective guidance.
The champion took home RM10,000 of prize money while the second and third place winner
brought back RM7,000 and RM5,000 respectively. In addition to that, the winners for best
presentation, best exhibition and best blog site also received RM1,000 each. A token of
RM500 each was also given out to the most supportive teachers during the programme.
-End-
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