Raja Permaisuri Johor launches ‘Eco-Shift’ book

JOHOR BARU: Raja Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah yesterday launched a book titled ECO-SHIFT: Holistic Transformation towards Environmental Consciousness written by Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang at Residensi Universiti Technologi Malaysia (UTM) here.

Raja Zarith, who is UTM chancellor, launched the book that looked at ways to contribute to the preservation of the environment.

Written by the former Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry secretary-general, it was jointly published by UTM through the Endowment Unit and the Malaysian Book and Translation Institute (ITBM).

Present were UTM Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali, UTM Deputy ViceChancellor (Development) Professor Dr Azlan Abdul Rahman and ITBM general manager and managing director Sakri Abdullah.

Zaini said ECO-SHIFT was a manual for the people, with its publication in line with the government’s campaign to promote reading through #MalaysiaMembaca and Kuala Lumpur as the World Book City 2020.

“In a community or corporation, ecoshift is the holistic transformation in philosophy, policy, strategy, governance, decision making, financial capabilities, technical, standard operating procedures and practices for environmental sustainability.

“It is accompanied by awareness of having changes in national policies, corporate strategies, lifestyle and cultures,” he said.

UTM Endowment Unit director Associate Professor Dr Yusof Boon said the book was part of initiatives to raise funds to help students who needed financial assistance for their studies.

“At present, we have many UTM students who need financial assistance, taking into account more than 50 per cent of UTM students are from underprivileged families (the Bottom 40 income group). Since its inception in 2009, the UTM Endowment Fund has raised RM20 million to be used as scholarships and financial aid for nearly 700 students.”

He said part of the proceeds from the book sales would be channelled to the UTM Endowment Fund, with a target of RM1 million.