School of Chemical Engineering Hosts Lestari Fun Run 2025 in Support of University’s Sustainability Agenda
Held under the theme “Run for a Greener Future,” the event aimed to promote awareness of sustainable development, healthy living, and community well-being. A total of 257 participants took part, including 217 adults and 40 children, with ages ranging from three to 70 years old. The run attracted strong participation from Penang, Kedah and Perak, reflecting meaningful community engagement in line with SDG 11: Sustainable Communities. Notably, the event also welcomed international participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, China and Pakistan, underscoring its inclusive nature and demonstrating USM’s aspiration to be a global community that embraces diversity while championing sustainability.
In his officiating speech, Dean of the School, Professor Ir. Dr. Zainal Ahmad, emphasised that the USM Lestari Fun Run 2025 was more than just a recreational activity. He described it as a community education platform that promotes active lifestyles, sustainability awareness, and intergenerational participation. He highlighted the involvement of children as young as three years old as a testament to the university’s efforts to cultivate sustainability values from an early age. The Dean also reiterated USM’s commitment to leading sustainable development initiatives in the region, reflecting the university’s strong performance in the THE Impact Rankings. He expressed his appreciation to all sponsors and volunteers for ensuring the success and smooth execution of the event.
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In line with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the event incorporated several sustainability practices. These included the use of reusable fabric bibs to reduce single-use waste, fully paperless registration, and well-labelled waste segregation stations for plastics, paper, aluminium and general waste. The bins were strategically placed throughout the venue to encourage proper waste sorting. These efforts not only helped reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills but also raised public awareness on recycling and the importance of hosting low-waste events.
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The programme received strong support from a wide range of partners and sponsors, including Mydin, Elgini, Decathlon, Sports Element Group, Klinik Pakar Jammy Suzana and PARKROYAL Hotels & Resorts. The event was further strengthened by the collaboration of the Engineering Campus Director’s Office, Ikatan Mahasiswa Johor (IKMAR), Chemical Engineering Students' Society (ChESS), and Howei as co-organising partners. Safety and regulatory support was provided by Majlis Bandaraya Seberang Perai (MBSP), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the USM Security Department, and the USM Health Centre.
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The USM Lestari Fun Run 2025 succeeded in achieving its goal as a high-impact community event that combined sports, sustainability education, responsible waste management and inclusive participation across generations. It reinforced USM’s role as a leading institution in sustainability and showcased a model for campus-based activities that integrate the SDGs in a holistic manner. PPKK believes that initiatives such as this will continue to inspire meaningful positive change toward building a healthier, more conscious and sustainable community. 
#USMLestariFunRun #25YearsEngineeringCampus #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #USMEngineeringCampus #SDG3 #SDG11 #SDG12 #SDG17 #RunforaGreenerFuture
By: Ir. Dr. Nur Ayshah Rosli
Photos by: MRO & MFAB