In celebration of Earth Day 2025, the School of Mathematics, Actuarial, and Quantitative Studies (SoMAQS) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) successfully held the Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) Earth Day 2025, themed “Bright Minds, Green Future: Educating for a better Planet.”

Conducted over three weekends, the initiative was held in collaboration with Jabatan Alam Sekitar Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (JASWPKL) and Teach For Malaysia (TFM).

Empowering through Numbers, Nurturing through Impact

Ms Hazlina Darman (Lecturer, SoMAQS at APU), who also served as the Director of the initiative, shared that the KTP Earth Day 2025 programme reflects APU’s commitment to nurturing future leaders by integrating mathematics with sustainability and educational outreach, especially for underserved communities.

She further emphasised that the involvement of student facilitators from the APU Actuarial Science Club (ASC) and Math Club aimed not only to promote community engagement, but also to cultivate essential leadership skills among APU students through meaningful, real-world experiences.

“Initiatives like these demonstrate the transformative potential of education when paired with compassion and purpose.”

In contrast, Assoc Prof Dr Rajasegeran Ramasamy (Head, SoMAQS at APU) highlighted that mathematics is more than just numbers; it is a vital tool for problem-solving, decision-making, and making a tangible impact in the real world.

“The KTP Earth Day 2025 programme is a powerful example of how our students are applying mathematical thinking and leadership to serve the community, especially the underserved.

“Additionally, it reflects APU’s vision of developing students who not only excel academically, but also embody the values of sustainability, empathy, and civic responsibility,” he said. 

Pre-Programme Workshop (23rd April 2025) 

Ahead of the programme, Mr Rahmat and Ms Laraine, representatives from TFM, conducted an insightful online workshop titled “Connecting with a Child.”

This preparatory session equipped student facilitators from ASC and Math Club with practical tools to engage meaningfully and respectfully with children.

The session emphasised empathy, active listening, and child-centered communication; essential skills that set the tone for a supportive and impactful learning environment throughout the programme. 

First Session: Green Beginnings and Meaningful Connections at APU (26th April 2025) 

Held at APU, the first session commenced with opening speeches from Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU, and Dr Rajasegeran, stressing the role of education in sustainability. 

Then, the programme was officially launched by Ms Hajah Zuraini Ahmad Tajudin, Director of JASWPKL, who also introduced the Rakan Alam Sekitar (RAS) Chapter at APU; empowering students as environmental ambassadors.

Not only that, she also launched the campus-wide “E-Waste Collection” campaign. 

A key highlight of this session was the “E-Waste Awareness” talk by Ms Iwani, representative from JASWPKL, and Ms Hazlina Darman (Lecturer, SoMAQS at APU), who shared the environmental dangers of electronic waste and the importance of responsible disposal. 

The session concluded with a joyful Salam Raya celebration, where sponsors Mili Tech Sdn Bhd and Hurakan Property Sdn Bhd gifted duit raya to the children who attended the session, fostering community warmth and corporate support. 

Second Session: Sparking Curiosity through STEM and Team Spirit (3rd May 2025) 

As for the second session, the programme unfolded at Rumah Bakti Al-Kausar, where the focus shifted to interactive STEM exploration and team-building activities. 

Children participated in a unique collaborative challenge using strings and a pen to spell out the word “BUMI,” fostering coordination, patience, and teamwork.

This was followed by a lively game of charades, where laughter and creativity filled the room as participants guessed each other’s actions.

The STEM component featured exciting hands-on experiments, like inflating balloons with vinegar and baking soda to learn about chemical reactions, and exploring layers of liquid density to understand scientific properties in a fun, visual way.

The activities not only ignited curiosity, but also encouraged critical thinking and group engagement, making science both approachable and enjoyable for the children. 

Third Session: Cracking Codes and Conquering Numbers (10th May 2025)

The final session saw students immersed in “The Brainy Quest,” a math-themed scavenger hunt designed to engage both primary and secondary school children through five creative and interactive checkpoints.

From playing “Math Bingo” and measuring real-world objects to decoding critical thinking clues and solving crosswords about e-waste, each station combined fun with valuable math skills.

As students completed each checkpoint, they unlocked parts of a secret code that ultimately spelled out “MATH IS FUN.”

The activity reinforced concepts like arithmetic, geometry, budgeting, and logic in a hands-on, relatable manner.

Inspiring a Generation of Eco-Conscious Thinkers

The KTP Earth Day 2025 programme successfully empowered young learners by blending environmental awareness with engaging STEM education.

Through meaningful collaboration and interactive activities, the initiative fostered curiosity, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving skills.

The three-part programme not only enriched the children’s learning experiences, but also inspired APU students to grow as empathetic, purposeful mentors.

Together, these efforts pave the way for a generation ready to take informed and responsible action for a more sustainable future.