400 UTHM Undergraduates Joined Green Earth Program

In an effort to have a close relationship with the local community, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato' Dr. Mohd. Noh Dalimin, has involved its students in various activities and programs with the local community especially in the district of Batu Pahat, Johor.

Recently, on 3 January 2009, 400 UTHM students participated in the launch of the Green Earth Program for DUN Parit Raja. The program was organized by the Johor State Department of Agriculture and JPMM DUN Parit Raja. The launch was held at the compound of Surau Tengah, Kampung Parit Jelutong, Parit Raja. The State Assembly Member for Parit Raja, YB Hj. Ab. Aziz Kaprawi, officiated the launching ceremony. Also present were the Vice-Chancellor of UTHM, Prof. Dato' Dr. Mohd Noh Dalimin, the Agriculture Officer of Batu Pahat, En. Shahrom Atan, and Parit Jelutong Village Headman, Tn. Hj. Zaihat Saiman.

More than 1000 plants, including limes, cucumbers and chilis were distributed to three villages; Kampung Parit Jelutong, Kampung Parit Hj. Rais and Kampung Parit Kadir. The villagers and UTHM students worked together in planting them.

In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of UTHM stated, "This program of planting trees, with the concept of ‘adopted child', is expected to develop a close relationship between the University and the participating villagers. This is because they (the villagers and the students) will feel a sense of responsibility to take care of and ensure that the trees planted will grow and give good products."

Besides that, Prof. Dato' Dr. Mohd Noh informed that some UTHM foreign students from Somalia, Libya and Yemen Republic also participated in this program. "The foreign students' participation surely can give an opportunity to the villagers to learn their cultures and lifestyles. This is also our chance to introduce our local customs to them."

Meanwhile, YB Aziz Kaprawi, in his speech, hoped that the Green Earth Program will provide a business opportunity to the villagers. He also stated that in facing the present economic situation which is unpredictable, Malaysians should be wise in varying their economic sources and not only depend on certain types of plants.  He also expressed his gratitude to UTHM for its cooperation in making this program a success.