Republic Polytechnic’s Conservation Interest Group students represents Singapore at the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy and the 3rd Eco-Minds Asia Pacific Forum

In June 2008, eight Republic Polytechnic (RP) students from the Conservation Interest Group (Zeng Huiqi, Yvonne Chang Hui Xian, Loh Peiyu Meryl, Chew Shyh Shyurng Derek, Tay Jit Ling Jackeline, Sabrina Choo, Soh Zhi Hao, Jasper and Muhammad Fareezal Bin Mohamed Idros) submitted their environmental related proposals to Bayer South East Asia Pte Ltd. Six of them were eventually shortlisted to attend a three day Eco-camp held in July this year at the National University of Singapore.

During the camp, thirteen shortlisted envoys from various Junior Colleges and tertiary institutes visited Sungei Buloh and the Tropical Marine Science Institute on St. John’s Island. Different environmental issues were shared and discussed by various distinguished speakers, after which, the envoys presented their individual project ideas on promoting environmental protection in Singapore to the panel of distinguished judges for their consideration.

The RP envoys impressed the judges with their commitment and passion for the environment and eventually two out of the six RP finalists were selected to represent Singapore at the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy- Germany (Nov 2008) and the 3rd Eco-Minds Asia Pacific Forum to be held in Auckland and Rotorua, New Zealand (May 2009). On 30 September 2008, Dr Amy Khor, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Environment and Water Resource, presented the awards to the finalists at the Awards ceremony held at The Fullerton Hotel.  

Once again, congratulations to the winners, as well as the finalists of the BYEE and Eco-Minds 2009. We would also like to thank the following School of Applied Science (SAS) staff (Dr Priscilla To, Dr Amy Choong, Dr Chua Hwee Chuan, Ms Serena Seah & Ms Grace Tan) for their kind support and advice to the participants in the last few months.

Here’s a summary of proposals presented by the finalists:

Yvonne Chang Hui Xian, first year SAS Diploma in Biomedical Sciences student
Project title: Bring your own utensils and containers day.
The campaign will reinforce the message of re-using and reducing the use of non-biodegradable materials. Besides encouraging students to use their own lunch boxes and metal utensils, she suggested that a surcharge can be imposed by canteen operators to students/staff requesting for disposable containers and utensils. Alternatively, discounts can be given to those who bring their own containers or utensils.

Sabrina Choo, second year SAS student, Diploma in Biotechnology
Project Title: Bring your own utensils day.
Her project aims to educate the public through posters and having a reward system for those who bring their own utensils.

Muhammad Fareezal Bin Mohamed Idros, second year SAS student, Diploma in Biomedical Sciences
Project Title: “waste” to “wow”.
His project aims to transform recyclable materials from trash into something creative and innovative.

Chew Shyh Shyurng, first year SAS student, Diploma in Environmental Science
Project Title: The old one how?
He suggested promoting reusing and recycling of old electronic items to prevent them from ending up in landfills. The mode of publicity would be by reaching out to general public and schools to spread the message of recycling electronic items.

Soh Zhi Hao, Jasper, second year SAS student, Diploma in Environmental Science
Project Title: The 100,000 plastic bottles challenge.
He proposed to co-operate with schools in Woodlands through a competition to collect 100,000 recyclable plastic bottles. After the collection, the plastic bottles would be transformed to an art display piece before recycling it.

Tan Jit Ling Jackeline, second year SAS student, Diploma in Material Science
Project Title: Republic Polytechnic’s Eco picnic
The project aims to educate the public on recyclables and non-recyclables in a fun picnic and bazaar which also brings the community closer to nature.

About BYEE & Eco-Minds
Bayer is the first company in the world to enter into a long-term partnership with the United Nations Environment programme (UNEP) in the area of youth and environment. Each year, youth leaders from all over world, including Singapore, are selected for the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy (BYEE) and are given the opportunity to travel to Germany on an all expense paid trip to learn more about environmental best practices and at the same time form networks with like-minded young people. Every two years, Bayer and UNEP organise Eco-Minds, an Asian Pacific forum which brings 27 tertiary participants from nine Asia Pacific countries (the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, and Korea) to work on solving sustainable development issues relevant to the entire region.

Words by Chew Shyh Shyurng, Derek, Conservation IG Management Committee Member , Edited by Grace Tan (SAS)