PETALING JAYA, 14 October 2023 –70 teenagers from SMK Puteri Titiwangsa spent a fun filled day at the beautiful Lembah Kiara Taman Tun Dr. Ismail today during the Salcon Smart Water Programme (SSWP).
The SSWP is an award winning programme organized in collaboration with Water Watch Penang (WWP) and designed to instill awareness amongst our younger generation on the importance of our precious water resources. The programme is carried out on a bi-monthly basis and is part of Salcon Berhad’s continuous effort of cultivating love for our rivers among students via a hands-on approach.
Under the guidance of facilitators, students actively conducted a range of water monitoring activities, which encompassed physical, chemical, and biological assessments. Physical monitoring entailed observing various factors, such as the river's appearance, sediment, algae, water odor, and flow rate. Chemical water monitoring involved conducting tests for water quality, measuring turbidity, and assessing dissolved oxygen levels. Students were able to assess water quality based on the results of pH level tests. Additionally, students used water monitoring kits for biological water monitoring, allowing them to identify aquatic organisms. This comprehensive approach allowed students to gain insights into the river's ecosystem and expand their knowledge of water resource management.
"I personally believe that the program provides a refreshing experience for the students as it allows them to engage in hands-on activities beyond their typical classroom setting. Moreover, they can put into practice the knowledge they have acquired in school during the experiments they conducted today," remarked Cikgu Suhanida, a teacher from SMK Puteri Titiwangsa. The students had the chance to potentially develop into future environmental leaders with a strong emphasis on sustainability through their involvement in the Salcon Smart Water Programme (SSWP) at Lembah Kiara Taman Tun Dr. Ismail today.
Furthermore, the team assessed the program's effectiveness by conducting both pre and post-surveys. These surveys were designed to gauge the students' level of understanding and knowledge enhancement.
Ms. Chern Meng Gaik, the General Manager of Corporate at Salcon Berhad, described the program as a comprehensive approach to involve students and the community in water conservation and education. She expressed the hope that the participants would gain a deep understanding of the significance of river ecosystems and learn how to become responsible environmental stewards in the future.
To date, the programme has benefitted more than 65 schools and 3,300 children and has garnered good support and response from teachers and students.