Student Profiles

TITLE: PERMEATING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH COMMERCIAL SPACES

 

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By Darren Chear Weng Yew

As part of the Sunway Malls team, I drove sustainability by partnering with an arts institute, The One Academy, to deliver immersive educational experiences to mall-goers as a vehicle to increase awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 

 

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Chear (third from right) and the Sunway Malls Team

 

Interactive installations were set up, each designed by students and highlighting a unique social issue. Urban poverty, environmentally-friendly behaviours, gender inequality, and light pollution were some of the issues presented.

This initiative garnered us the honour of being the sole Malaysian finalist at the United Nations’ SDG Action Campaign's Global Festival of Action in Germany. Such an outcome was especially gratifying, as it signified a small victory for sustainability awareness in Malaysia.

 

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Chear (front row first from right) with The One Academy student designers at the exhibition to raise awarenss on the SDGs to mall-goers

 

Separately, the attainment of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Leadership Award also acknowledged Sunway Malls’ role in advocating, educating and bringing awareness towards the role of the private sector to make decisions which acknowledge the importance of forests.

The most ordinary things, done well, can become extraordinary. In the journey towards sustainability, substantially more in both thought and deed have to come together to awaken greater understanding and change. To this end, the year 2019 was a significant milestone for Sunway Malls.

 

TITLE: WASTE MACHINE TRAVELS TO NEW YORK CITY

 

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By Mae Ooi

“Less Wasteful, More Useful” – this statement has initiated the development of an innovative composting technology, which has since converted 4.7 million kilograms of food waste into compost. The year 2019 marked an encouraging milestone for MAEKO.

 

 

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My team and I were shortlisted as part of 10 global sustainable solutions makers to present at the United Nations Solutions Summit in New York City. This recognition uplifted my spirit and spurred on my continuous effort in helping communities to divert food waste from landfills.