By Anne Das
Through its SDG Leadership Cluster, Quest International University (QIU) recently organised the Seeds of Sustainability: Mangrove Tree Planting Drive 2026, bringing together academia, industry, government agencies, healthcare providers, non-governmental organisations, and the local community in a collective effort to promote environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The programme saw the participation of more than 100 participants, including QIU students and staff, representatives from IJM Industry, Industrial Concrete Products Sdn. Bhd., Lumut Maritime Terminal Sdn. Bhd., Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA), Majlis Perbandaran Manjung, members of the local community of Changkat Keruing, as well as healthcare professionals from Klinik Kesihatan Changkat Keruing.
As part of the environmental restoration initiative, participants planted 1,001 mangrove saplings, contributing directly to the protection of coastal ecosystems, enhancement of biodiversity, and long-term shoreline resilience. Mangroves play a critical role in mitigating climate change by acting as carbon sinks, reducing coastal erosion, and supporting marine and coastal biodiversity.
The event was officiated by Pantai Remis state assemblyman YB Wong May Ing. Also present were QIU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Zita Mohd Fahmi, Beruas MP Dato’ Ngeh Koo Ham and other community leaders, indicating strong institutional and governmental support for sustainability and community-based environmental initiatives.
Beyond environmental conservation, the programme also prioritised community well-being. Klinik Kesihatan Changkat Keruing collaborated by providing basic health screening services to participants and members of the local community, reinforcing a holistic sustainability approach that integrates environmental, social, and public health dimensions.
The initiative received strong support from industry partners. IJM Industry and Industrial Concrete Products Sdn. Bhd. served as the Main Sponsor and Lead SDG Partners, highlighting their involvement in corporate sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Lumut Maritime Terminal Sdn. Bhd supported the initiative as co-sponsor and strategic SDG partner, while Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA), Majlis Perbandaran Manjung, and the local community of Changkat Keruing contributed as collaborators and SDG Partners, ensuring meaningful grassroots engagement and long-term local impact.
The Seeds of Sustainability initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The programme centres on experiential learning, cross-sector collaboration, and community engagement within a higher education setting.
Through initiatives such as this, QIU continues to reaffirm its role as a responsible higher education institution, extending learning beyond the classroom, nurturing environmentally conscious graduates, and strengthening partnerships to advance sustainable and inclusive development.
