EDUCATING YOUTH, ENERGISING THE FUTURE
ARE lights left gleaming in empty rooms? Do devices remain plugged in long after they are charged?
These are just a couple of the wasteful and habitual behaviours that many still practise today, despite the widespread shift to sustainable narratives that have become prevalent in recent years.
This pervasive misuse of energy has long-term implications on the environment and society, which is why Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), in collaboration with Star Media Group Bhd (SMG), is taking proactive steps to educate the next generation to cultivate energy-efficient habits.
In response, the national utility provider is reigniting the 'Powering The Future' school activation programme for its third year.
It was originally launched in the Klang Valley in 2023, covering 10 schools and benefiting 890 students.
The second edition saw the programme expand to the West Coast, reaching 4,545 students across 60 schools.
This year, it will head to the East Coast – covering Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu – and further north to Kedah and Perlis, reaching a total of 40 schools across five states.
(Seated in the fourth row) Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Star Media Group representatives with SMK Indera Shahbandar principal Jama Mat Yunus (fifth from the left) at the 'Powering The Future 3.0' school activation programme launch in Pekan, Pahang on May 7. — Photos by FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Powering The Future 3.0
Kicking off in Pahang, this year's programme will highlight and promote energy efficiency through hands-on learning modules, utilising techniques like gamification to cultivate an interactive experience for all students who take part.
The official launch was held at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Indera Shahbandar in Pekan on May 7, with 93 Form Three students participating in the opening programme.
Powering The Future 3.0 (PTF 3.0) will feature different activities tailored to primary and secondary school students.
PTF 3.0 continues to promote energy efficiency through hands-on learning modules including gamification to cultivate an interactive experience for students.
Primary students will take part in new activities, including a recently introduced renewable energy (RE) model kit-building exercise aimed at cultivating energy-efficient habits from a young age. They will be tasked with assembling hydro, solar, wind and hand generator model kits in groups.
In secondary schools, the programme will engage students with critical thinking exercises, promoting energy-efficient practices and smart power management through real-world home scenario simulations.
Students will also be introduced to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), equipping them with the knowledge and context needed to support a sustainable future.
Additionally, all participating students will receive a free one-year subscription to The Star's e-Paper. This initiative aims to encourage active reading and improve English literacy while reinforcing energy conservation awareness.
The other nine participating schools in Pahang are Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Teruntum, SK Seri Biram, SK Langgar, SK Batu Tiga, SK Tanjung Batu, SMK Nenasi, SMK Seri Pekan, SMK Paloh Hinai and SMK Tok Sera.
Nurturing sustainability warriors
TNB, in partnership with SMG and M.A.D Movement, collaborated to develop engaging activities for the PTF 3.0 programme.
The aim is to expose students to a deeper understanding of the energy sector, the current energy generation process and the need to transition to renewable energy through carefully curated and customised workshops.
(Above and below) A total of 93 Form Three students from SMK Indera Shahbandar participated in the opening programme.
This programme seeks to bridge the gap between the younger generation and the world of energy and sustainability, educating them on the importance of using energy efficiently and practising sustainability through an interactive, engaging, and youth-friendly approach.
As the Malay proverb goes, 'melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya' (it is easier to shape youth while they are young), and TNB hopes the students will better understand how each of our actions – big or small – can bring about major changes to the environment.
Through the PTF 3.0 programme, participants can aspire to be youth ambassadors in bringing about positive change for a more sustainable future by inspiring change among their families and local communities.
Meanwhile, SMK Indera Shahbandar principal Jama Mat Yunus expressed his gratitude to TNB and SMG for forming this synergetic partnership to promote energy literacy.
'This programme is an excellent platform to educate and nurture a society that is more environmentally conscious.
'We hope it will be a catalyst for the development of our youth, not only as students but ultimately as members of a society we aim to shape for the future,' he said.
'Hopefully, the students sitting before me today will be able to bring about change in our school community and go on to become energy champions of the future who will contribute to the nation's well-being.'
After Pahang, PTF 3.0 will move on to Kelantan and Terengganu in June, covering 10 schools in each state.
The programme will then expand to Kedah and Perlis in July, covering 10 schools in total.
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The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
EDUCATING YOUTH, ENERGISING THE FUTURE
ARE lights left gleaming in empty rooms? Do devices remain plugged in long after they are charged? These are just a couple of the wasteful and habitual behaviours that many still practise today, despite the widespread shift to sustainable narratives that have become prevalent in recent years. This pervasive misuse of energy has long-term implications on the environment and society, which is why Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), in collaboration with Star Media Group Bhd (SMG), is taking proactive steps to educate the next generation to cultivate energy-efficient habits. In response, the national utility provider is reigniting the 'Powering The Future' school activation programme for its third year. It was originally launched in the Klang Valley in 2023, covering 10 schools and benefiting 890 students. The second edition saw the programme expand to the West Coast, reaching 4,545 students across 60 schools. This year, it will head to the East Coast – covering Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu – and further north to Kedah and Perlis, reaching a total of 40 schools across five states. (Seated in the fourth row) Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Star Media Group representatives with SMK Indera Shahbandar principal Jama Mat Yunus (fifth from the left) at the 'Powering The Future 3.0' school activation programme launch in Pekan, Pahang on May 7. — Photos by FAIHAN GHANI/The Star Powering The Future 3.0 Kicking off in Pahang, this year's programme will highlight and promote energy efficiency through hands-on learning modules, utilising techniques like gamification to cultivate an interactive experience for all students who take part. The official launch was held at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Indera Shahbandar in Pekan on May 7, with 93 Form Three students participating in the opening programme. Powering The Future 3.0 (PTF 3.0) will feature different activities tailored to primary and secondary school students. PTF 3.0 continues to promote energy efficiency through hands-on learning modules including gamification to cultivate an interactive experience for students. Primary students will take part in new activities, including a recently introduced renewable energy (RE) model kit-building exercise aimed at cultivating energy-efficient habits from a young age. They will be tasked with assembling hydro, solar, wind and hand generator model kits in groups. In secondary schools, the programme will engage students with critical thinking exercises, promoting energy-efficient practices and smart power management through real-world home scenario simulations. Students will also be introduced to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), equipping them with the knowledge and context needed to support a sustainable future. Additionally, all participating students will receive a free one-year subscription to The Star's e-Paper. This initiative aims to encourage active reading and improve English literacy while reinforcing energy conservation awareness. The other nine participating schools in Pahang are Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Teruntum, SK Seri Biram, SK Langgar, SK Batu Tiga, SK Tanjung Batu, SMK Nenasi, SMK Seri Pekan, SMK Paloh Hinai and SMK Tok Sera. Nurturing sustainability warriors TNB, in partnership with SMG and M.A.D Movement, collaborated to develop engaging activities for the PTF 3.0 programme. The aim is to expose students to a deeper understanding of the energy sector, the current energy generation process and the need to transition to renewable energy through carefully curated and customised workshops. (Above and below) A total of 93 Form Three students from SMK Indera Shahbandar participated in the opening programme. This programme seeks to bridge the gap between the younger generation and the world of energy and sustainability, educating them on the importance of using energy efficiently and practising sustainability through an interactive, engaging, and youth-friendly approach. As the Malay proverb goes, 'melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya' (it is easier to shape youth while they are young), and TNB hopes the students will better understand how each of our actions – big or small – can bring about major changes to the environment. Through the PTF 3.0 programme, participants can aspire to be youth ambassadors in bringing about positive change for a more sustainable future by inspiring change among their families and local communities. Meanwhile, SMK Indera Shahbandar principal Jama Mat Yunus expressed his gratitude to TNB and SMG for forming this synergetic partnership to promote energy literacy. 'This programme is an excellent platform to educate and nurture a society that is more environmentally conscious. 'We hope it will be a catalyst for the development of our youth, not only as students but ultimately as members of a society we aim to shape for the future,' he said. 'Hopefully, the students sitting before me today will be able to bring about change in our school community and go on to become energy champions of the future who will contribute to the nation's well-being.' After Pahang, PTF 3.0 will move on to Kelantan and Terengganu in June, covering 10 schools in each state. The programme will then expand to Kedah and Perlis in July, covering 10 schools in total.
The Star
6 days ago
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Barn owl nest box project aims to protect padi fields from rat menace
Handle with care: Hasber (right) demonstrating to Abdul Aziz how to hold barn owls correctly, with a nest box seen in the background. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star KEPALA BATAS: Every padi planting season, farmer Abdul Aziz Hashim endures sleepless nights worrying about the crops on his 2ha padi field. Besides the unpredictable weather, thousands of rats have been destroying his crop, slashing his income by nearly 50%. "These rats usually come out at night and feast on the matured padi. It gets worse during harvest time. "I have tried using pesticides and rat poison to try to eliminate the pests. "I spend thousands of ringgit each planting season just to protect my crops," the 43-year-old lamented. However, Abdul Aziz, who has been a farmer for about 20 years, now realises that the use of chemicals is harmful to the environment and health. "Pesticides do not only contaminate the padi fields but also pollute the surroundings and kill other animals," he said. Farmers like Abdul Aziz are now relieved that they can now consider a more friendly form of rat control: using Eastern barn owls to hunt the rats. Native to Peninsular Malaysia, the Eastern barn owl's voracious appetite for rats helps protect crops. This pilot project by Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Barn Owl and Rodent Research Group (BORG) will see 20 barn owl nest boxes installed at fields belonging to farmers under the B40 group in Paya Keladi, Kepala Batas. The nest boxes are designed to attract owls to nest in them without additional human intervention, with Abdul Aziz saying the new method will help manage the rodent population effectively. "It will reduce the need for chemical poisons," he explained. "Although the use of barn owls was practised in the past by local farmers, there was little to no monitoring of rodent problems in the fields, which made it harder for farmers to protect their crops." USM's Assoc Prof Dr Hasber Salim said his team initiated the project to help farmers adopt environmentally friendly practices. "Rat damage can reduce yields by up to 60%. With barn owls present, farmers experience less crop loss, which translates to higher income and better quality harvests as one barn owl family can hunt up to 3,000 rats per year,' he said. Under this pilot project carried out in collaboration with Malaysia's national rice agency Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), each nest box can serve an area of about 5ha to 10ha. Each nest setup costs about RM800, depending on location and logistics, with funding made possible through a RM42,671 (US$10,000) grant from GlobalGiving, a US-based non-governmental organisation. The project will be monitored over a period of three years. Each week, BORG members will collect owl pellets – regurgitated remains of prey – to identify the species of rats consumed and estimate the number of pests removed. 'We will analyse the pellets to get actual data. 'That's how we estimate that a single owl family can eat up to 3,000 rats a year,' he said. Hasber added that the initiative draws on past experience of using barn owls in oil palm plantations under a similar conservation project with the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation. "Although barn owls have been used in padi fields since the 1970s, the practice has been largely neglected in recent years. 'We're bringing back a proven concept but with improved planning and monitoring,' he said. Hasber added that instead of using the outdated density of one nest per 40ha, his team is now using a high-density model of one nest per five to 10ha.
The Star
25-05-2025
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UPM nod for The Star
Thank you: Sim (left) receiving the award from Prof Ahmad Farhan. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has acknowledged The Star for providing the highest English language media coverage of the institution. The recognition highlights the publication's continued support in consulting UPM experts on relevant issues — especially in the agriculture sector and promoting UPM's achievements and initiatives to a wider audience. Its deputy executive editor Sim Leoi Leoi received the award on behalf of Star Media Group during the UPM Media Visibility Awards 2024 in Serdang on May 8. Utusan Malaysia and China Press received nods for providing the highest Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin coverage, respectively, while Berita Harian was recognised for providing the highest media coverage overall. Awards were also presented in the highest radio, online, television, and research coverage categories. Separately, the event also acknowledged 16 academic and non-academic members from the varsity for their efforts in promoting UPM's expertise through various media platforms. Prof Dr Law Teik Hua, from the Faculty of Engineering, received the UPM Media Visibility Award 2024, the highest honour of the night. UPM vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said the award was given as an appreciation to those who have contributed the most number of written expertise pieces shared in newspapers, television and radio. 'I would like to thank the media for its willingness to accept our views and opinions—not only to acknowledge our expertise, but more importantly, to give the relevant quarters access to the knowledge shared,' he said.
