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Aziara Esham MAKTAB SAINS PADUKA SERI BEGAWAN SULTAN In June 2009, environmental enthusiasts Cikgu Rodziah Abdul Wahab and Cikgu Ratni Ghani joined forces to take over Maktab Sains' environmentalist club driven by Cikgu Sri Yani, the MS Youth Initiative Club, in an attempt to “spread lasting environmental awareness throughout the college and the public.” The club is known for its active schedule and is no stranger to pulling off major campus-wide projects such as the most recent “Bring-Your-Own Fundraising and Awareness Week,” an initiative to promote the use of reusable plates, containers, mugs and cutlery and reduce the use of plastic. The four-day campaign, said to be the first of its kind to be organized by a school or college institution in Brunei, was officially launched on 8th April by acting principal Dk. Sarimah Pg. Haji Ahmad and was aimed to raise funds to purchase more recycling bins for the college. Another major project organized by the club is the four-day 'Heart of Borneo' Fundraising Project launched on 17th August last year. The main objective of the project was to raise money to plant trees in Badas to help make the 'Heart of Borneo 50, 000 Trees Competition' held by International School Brunei (ISB) and the Ministry of Development a success. As per usual, the project was nothing short of successful. “Students, teachers, and other members of Science College as well as some outsiders gave their endless support and showed enthusiasm towards the Fundraising for Badas, Heart of Borneo,” the club stated. In addition, the club took advantage of the event to also raise awareness among the college community to use less plastic bags. The club introduced their motto 'Be Fantastic and Use Less Plastic' in an effort to reach out to the rest of the community and get the message across. Fundraising events are undoubtedly a favourite in the club, but are definitely not the club's limits. “We are currently having an inter house landscape competition,” said Cikgu Rodziah, adding that there will also be a time later in the year when the club promotes green fashion to express their love for the earth. From planting trees to reducing plastic, it is without a doubt that the MS Environmental Club has made a significant difference to the college and its staff and students. “We want everyone to be more aware of the impending need to conserve the environment,” Cikgu Ratni said. “This club is our initiative to start small [within the campus], and hopefully we can spread the message to the public eventually.” The MS Environmental Club ultimately wants to see a change in the community's mindset and see them taking action so they, too, share a passion for conserving our precious and fragile environment. MS Minute |