From left, Dinindu, Bong and Darrell posing for a photo next to the Swinburne Green Wall.
KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus unveiled its Green Wall after the Run for the Wild event yesterday.
“The Swinburne Green Wall is the result of a multinational effort to create a living, environmentally friendly wall. The idea was conceived by Swinburne intern Ann-Kathrin Popel from Germany and the efforts of the students of the Swinburne Biotechnology Club- Dinindu S Liyanapathirana from Sri Lanka and Darrell Nadeng Dominic from Sibu, while the mural of Sarawak’s natural habitats, orang utan, shark and sting ray was done by a Sarawakian artist Angelina Bong,” said Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus deputy vice-chancellor and chief executive officer Prof Janet Gregory at the launching of the Green Wall and blood donation drive at the campus here yesterday.
The project was constructed using eight belian wooden frames with mangrove planks attached crosswise in an interweaving arrangement. The mangrove planks serve as trellis for creeping plants and other plants donated by staff, students and GuiGing Garden and Landscaping and the public. Among the donated plants are Japanese rose.
Meanwhile, Dinindu said the wall aimed to promote sustainability with the use of coconut husks and plastic bottles as pots for plants.
“We plan to build an irrigation system on the wall after this,” she said.
Angelina Bong, the mural artist, said she painted based on actual wildlife photos. It took her three days to complete and the biggest challenge was the weather as the rain caused the paint to bleed.
“The Green Wall is a great reminder to urban dwellers of the need to protect wildlife so that future generations can continue to witness and appreciate their existence.”
Meanwhile, some 350 young and old conservationists took to the roads in the ‘Run For The Wild’ event, running the 5km or 10km routes or walking the 2km Fun Walk in Kuching. Another 158 people in 26 countries spread over six continents including 12 members of the Society of the Deaf, sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Society, took part in the virtual run in support of the conservation of orang utans, sharks and rays in Sarawak.
It was the third Run for the Wild organised by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)Malaysia.
“The support from everyone locally and globally has been so heart-warming. Some of the virtual runners even swam in the ocean to show their support for our effort. Everyone coming together brings much inspiration to us conservationists,” said WCS Malaysia Programme director Dr Melvin Gumal.
After the run, participants were treated to a presentation on Shark Conservation in Southeast Asia by WCS Sharks and Rays Advisor for WCS in the Southeast Asia Archipelago Hollie Booth, who highlighted the threats facing sharks in this region.
A blood donation was organised by JCI Youth Swinburne Chapter and Serian Hospital.