9th Week : On Campus Observation: IIUM As a Sustainable Campus

Green IIUM 🌿🌳

Assalamualaikum w.b.t. 

For this week assessment (Week 9) ,we were assigned to do some observations of the sustainability that IIUM offers to all students. There are several lessons we have learned during our observations.

1. IIUM is known for its greenery environment that helps students become more aware of environmental issues. As we all know, students are well known as agents of change in various fields. Also, there are some researchers pointed out that universities should do more to raise awareness regarding green issue among students. This has significantly increased sustainability outputs.
2. The IIUM Riverside: A Sanctuary of Inspiration and Sustainability- The IIUM Riverside is a serene retreat where beauty meets purpose. Its lush greenery, flowing waters, and fresh air create a peaceful environment, ideal for students to relax, reflect, and generate creative ideas. This tranquil space fosters mental well-being, supporting SDG Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), by offering a natural escape that promotes mindfulness and outdoor activities. Moreover, the Riverside showcases IIUM's commitment to sustainability, aligning with SDG Goal 15 (Life on Land). Its biodiversity and eco-friendly landscaping not only protect the environment but also provide a habitat and food for birds, enriching the ecosystem. The IIUM Riverside is more than a picturesque landscape—it is a living example of harmony between nature, education, and sustainability.
3. Going green aims to minimize pollution. As we all know, plants produce oxygen, which we and all other aerobic (air-requiring) species require to thrive. Without plants and their ability to produce oxygen, life on Earth would not exist today. Plants also create oxygen as a consequence of photosynthesis, which is a series of chemical events that occur within plant cells in response to light. Going green by minimizing or eliminating air pollutants improves the quality of air we breathe. As the saying goes, "prevention is better than cure," and minimizing pollutants is less expensive than trying to clean up pollution once it has spread. Therefore, it is necessary to aim for green living.
4. For today's task, we went to IIUM riverside, capturing the greenery and nature of IIUM. The establishment of parks and green areas in the campus plays a significant role in promoting students' health and well-being. Spending time in nature has always been proven to reduce mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression. Students and even non-students who visit the campus can often be seen along the IIUM riverside and around the area to do their activities, whether to spend their time with those around them, or to have their alone time. The calming effects of green spaces, the flowing river and the purring of pigeons help them to feel more relaxed and less overwhelmed, which fosters emotional well-being. Nature also allows students to disconnect from academic pressures and daily life stresses, as well as to gain intellectual benefits such as attention, concentration and memory, which is why we can see students regularly hang out and sit by the riverside either with their paperworks or just nothing in hand, relaxing. From our observation, IIUM surely stresses and takes into account the importance of a balanced lifestyle among its community to improve their overall health and well-being, which achieves SDG Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-Being.