UCSI University staff and students working hand-in-hand to beautify the Taman Connaught area.

Kuala Lumpur, 17 June, 2012 - As part of its corporate citizenship efforts, UCSI University hosted the "My Connaught – Clean, Safe & Healthy" gotong-royong campaign at its South Wing, KL campus, which aimed to create a greener and healthier environment for the Taman Connaught area.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Cheras and supported by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), the project hoped to curb further environmental degradation in the area – which may result in unsavoury living conditions and disease outbreaks, if left unsupervised.

Despite the initial downpour in the morning, approximately 200 attendees gathered at the university in the spirit of community goodwill – comprising UCSI Group and University staff as well as students, DBKL personnel and Taman Connaught residents – thus establishing positive relationships among the groups.

Prominent guests, namely Y. Brs. Mr. Chin Yen Foo, Board Member, City Advisory Board of DBKL, Dr. Raveendra Kumar, Rotary District Governor, Prof. Emeritus Dr. Lim Koon Ong, UCSI Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs and Research) and Mr. Len Nyok Chong, President of Rotary Club Cheras, to name a few, were present to launch the campaign.

Y. Brs. Mr Chin Yen Foo kicked-off the launch by wielding an insect fogger to apply insecticides to a garden area on the University's campus grounds. The team of VIP guests also brandished some brooms made from the ribs of coconut palms, also known as lidi brooms, to signal the start of the clean-up.

In addition to the gotong-royong clean-up, other highlights of the project included a colouring contest for children and booths offering health-related services and information, such as free health screenings, denggi prevention and crime prevention.

Clean-up activities focused mostly on clearance of rubbish piles, litter control, tree trimming and removal of illegal and unwanted stickers and advertisements, among others.

The beautification project, in line with UCSI University's initiative to give back to the community, was a success as the neighbourhood boasted heightened levels of public cleanliness and hygiene.