EK Newsletter - June 2015

June 2015

Greetings from EcoKnights!

Half the year is gone, and we hope that you would have thought of something cool and green to embark on with your family and friends.

Go Green has been the buzz-phrase of the new millennium, and we understand it is very hard to escape from it and it is much easier to tune them out. But hear this! Enjoy the article and find the 10 reasons why you should “go green”! This article does not take the typical route of explaining the reason why we should “go green” i.e. switching to organic foods, recycling, etc. Instead, the author of this article chose to take a broader look at the reasons behind why we should go green. Read on, and hop on the bandwagon!

http://www.treehugger.com/htgg/how-to-go-green-why-to-go-green.html

Anugerah Hijau Roadshow (All throughout month of April)

After the launch of the Green Awards Competition or Anugerah Hijau on March 30, EcoKnights embarked on few road trips around Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya for Anugerah Hijau Roadshow & Film Screening. Anugerah Hijau Roadshow & Film Screening is where EcoKnights crew make a visit to secondary schools, and higher learning institutions to promote and encouraged the students to submit their ideas for the Green Awards Competition.

During the roadshow and film screening, EcoKnights also presented environmental awareness talks to the secondary schools, whilst universities/colleges were presented with film screenings. Youths interested to submit their ideas need to keep in mind that the deadline for the submission is on June 28. The competition challenges youth between the ages of 16 to 29 to come up with creative and innovative ideas in sustainable architecture, upcycled products and also in environment-themed music making. For more information on the Green Awards Competition, please visit Anugerah Hijau.

Aveda Walk for Water raised close to RM18K to Install Water Filtration Systems for Orang Asal Seletar.

On April 19, EcoKnights team up with Aveda Malaysia for the third time to organize a Walk for Water. The charity walk aimed to raise funds and awareness among the participants and members of the public on issues related to water accessibility, pollution and water availability in Kampung Pasir Putih, Pasir Gudang, Johor. The event managed to raise close to RM18, 000 to support EcoKnights’ program with the orang asal Seletar in Johore. Check this out to access more information and pictures of the walk.

You can now view the Corporate Leadership Forum: Battle of the Big Ideas on Sustainability on YouTube.

On April 22, EcoKnights presented a forum and panel discussion called, “Corporate Leadership: The Battle of the Big Ideas for Sustainability.” Supported by Organic Chemistry Asia and MAP Publika, the forum celebrated the global Earth Day at Map Publika by featuring five Malaysian corporate leaders who are strong advocates for sustainability in business. For 15 minutes, each speaker got the chance to present their presentation, followed by a discussion with the audience.

People who missed the forum or want to re-watch it can proceed to watch the full video at our YouTube page or try this link

Langkawi Knights of Nature Sustainability Camp Rocked the Island

On 21st till 24th May, EcoKnights team up with Genovasi to organize a sustainability camp called Langkawi Knights of Nature Sustainability Camp 2015. The 4 days/3 night camp was held in the camping ground of The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Hotel Spa. The camp’s participant ranged from 16 to 23 years old. Combining the concept of design thinking and addressing issues along Pantai Cenang, the participants were introduced to a though process which allowed them to design prototypes which was later tested with target groups along Pantai Cenang.

View the Langkawi Knights of Nature gallery here.

Forum Langkawi Lestari Saw Participation from Top Langkawi Leaders

On May 21, EcoKnights also take the opportunity to hold a discussion forum in Langkawi at the Frangipani Resort and Spa. This forum allowed the leaders of Langkawi from different sectors to sit down together and discussed the most important environmental problems in Langkawi and brainstorm practical solutions. Among the participants that were present include the District Officer of Langkawi, Dato' Haji Mohd Fuzi bin Mohaidin, Mr Anthony Wong, Managing Director of Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spar Hotel, Datuk Alexander I., president of Persatuan Niagakawi and also managing director of Tropical Charters, Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Ibrahim Komoo, from University Kebangsaan Malaysia and also advisor to the Langkawi Geopark, representations from E-Idaman, and also academicians from Pusat Penyelidikan Langkawi (PPL). Outcomes from the forum will be published soon for EcoKnights followers to view.

Up Close and Personal with the Interns: Sanjevakumarran Elil

Name: Sanjevakumarran Elil
Date of birth: 18 January 1994
Nationality: Malaysian
City of Residence: Kuala Lumpur
Current Education Background: Undergraduate
Field/course of study: Mechanical Engineering
University: Universiti Tenaga Nasional
Expected Year of Graduation / Graduated Year: 2017
Duration of internship: 3 months

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself (Where are you studying now, what are you majoring in, your family, etc)
   I am the second child of three siblings. Father is a policeman, mother is a preschool teacher, eldest sister current pursuing a degree a medicine and my youngest sister a degree in law. I am currently studying at Universiti Tenaga Nasional majoring in Mechanical Engineering and hopefully, if all goes well, graduate in 2017.
2. How did you find out about the internship opportunities at EcoKnights?
   I was a past participant of Knights of Nature Sustainability Camp and took the opportunity to intern with EcoKnights after finding out more about them during the camp.
3. What are your roles in EcoKnights during your internship? And share some of your experiences with us.
   My role covers mainly on Anugerah Hijau 2015. I started with the annual roadshow to promote the competition throughout the Klang Valley. This experience has brought me to places that I never thought I would reach although being in the same state like Banting, Kuala Selangor, somewhere in Subang and Shah Alam and many more places. I also communicate with different schools and universities to get them participate in the competition. Besides that, I have worked on Knights of Nature Sustainability Camp Langkawi, Etiqa events and other office related duties.
4. What are your advice or messages for future interns?
   Make your stay count.
5. Name 3 people you admire.
   This is probably the hardest questions of all, my top 3 would be my father, my mother and Stephen Hawking.
6. If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?
   My favorite T-shirts, water bottle, watch, a nice pair of shoes, and my books
7. What is your favorite childhood memory?
   Watching Godzilla as a late night movie.
8. How do you spend your free time?
   Sports, reading, and sometimes just doing nothing.
9. What is your favorite movie?
   I have too many too choose from but if I were to take a pick, the answer is right above.
10. What is something that you are OCD about/pet peeve?
    Wet floor, I prefer not to walk on it.
11. What does a perfect day look like to you?
    Waking up knowing that I have nothing to do, and going to back to sleep.
12. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?
    Greece. I like reading about Greek mythology.