Introduction:
The concept of combining physical activity with environmental education has been successfully tested in various global contexts. Public awareness campaigns and community events can be effective tools in fostering positive environmental behaviors. This proposal introduces a “Water Run for a Sustainable Future,” a community event designed to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation while engaging the university community through a fun and active experience. The Water Run event will combine physical activity, education, and research to inspire long-term water-saving behaviors among students, staff, and faculty. Figure 1 shows the previous running events that have been organized at USM.
Figure 1: Examples of run competitions have been organized at USM.
Objective:
This proposal plans to organize the USM Water Run Competition for 2025. The objectives of the project are:
- To educate participants on the water issues in Penang and importance of water conservation for a sustainable future.
- To promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among young people;
- To encourage youth to adopt sustainable water usage practices in their daily life; and
- To foster collaborative efforts in water conservation with relevant agencies such as USM, WWP, PBAPP and GeogMalaysia.
This project will be open to all Malaysians, with a particular focus on engaging students and staff from USM. The event will be taking place during a weekend, e.g., Saturday morning, in October or November 2025 to maximize participation. The event will be held at the USM main campus, with a designated 5-kilometer route that includes various educational and interactive stations along the way. The following are the planned activities for the “Water Run for A Sustainable Future” event:
a) Pre-Run Preparation and Engagement: Education and Awareness
Prior to the event, participants will receive a briefing on the significance of water conservation and the objectives of the event. This can be communicated through infographic posters or brochures, which will display key facts about water scarcity, water-saving tips, and the challenges faced by both local and global water resources. Additionally, we will leverage social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others to share information about the competition and provide content on water conservation, highlighting practical ways participants can contribute to saving water. We will also incorporate a lucky draw with engaging top prizes, such as an iPad, to attract more participants and increase excitement around the event.
b) Water Run Activity: The Run Route
The run will consist of several checkpoints where participants can stop, learn, and interact with water conservation themes. Some examples include: (1) rainwater harvesting PPIK – benefit of the system as alternative water source; (2) USM lake – how lake can be used as water storage and resources; (3) water-efficient appliances station – showcase of water-saving devices like smart water tap, low-flow showerheads, etc. These interactive stations will help participants gain practical knowledge on sustainable water management practices at USM.
c) Judging and Lucky Draw
After completing the run, participants will be encouraged to sign a pledge committing to at least one water-saving habit, such as reducing shower time or using water-efficient appliances. We will also encourage them to share their experience on social media using a designated hashtag (#WaterRunUSM). Small rewards, such as keychains, will be given to participants as a token of appreciation. Following this, prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers, along with 10 consolation prizes. Additionally, a lucky draw will be held, featuring exciting prizes like an iPad and other attractive items to keep participants engaged and motivated.
Timeline:
A. Water Run for a Sustainable Future 2025
| Date | Tentative Programme/Schedule |
| May – June 2025 | Obtaining permission, support and endorsement from UniversitiesOrganizing committee formation. |
| July – August 2025 | Registration by the participants |
| October – November 2025 | Judgement process and winner announcement Lucky draw |
B. Water Run for a Sustainable Future 2026
| Date | Tentative Programme/Schedule |
| May – June 2026 | Obtaining permission, support and endorsement from UniversitiesOrganizing committee formation. |
| July – August 2026 | Registration by the participants |
| October – November 2026 | Judgement process and winner announcement Lucky draw |
Output and Outcome:
Immediate Outputs:
The immediate output as soon as the programme ends will result in increased awareness of who joined as organizing committee members (at least 20 students) and participants (at least 100 students, staff and nearby communities). This project will also see empowerment of students to take the lead in the water saving project as well as positive partnership between private sector, NGO, school and government agencies.
Long Term Outcomes:
The sharing of Water Run photos and videos in social medias help to raise awareness of non-participants. This help to establish sustained changes in habits, enhanced community support, and ongoing research contributions to water conservation efforts.