Final Year Project Paper, Faculty of Engineering, UCSI University (Jan-April 2018)
UCSI University’ Readiness Towards Sustainable Campus in
Malaysian Universities
Ang Qin Siang
141, Lorong Batu Lanchang,
Kampung Baru, Air Itam,
11400, Pulau Pinang.
Abstract
While universities and campus do perceive that sustainability must assume a part in their
institutional life, numerous problems emerge in the matter of how advanced education should best
approach the subject. This condition is also applicable for UCSI University. Below are the problems
to investigate and identified in this research. What are the efforts done by UCSI University to
become a sustainable campus? How is the consciousness of sustainable campus among the staffs
and students of UCSI University? What is the readiness of UCSI University towards a sustainable
campus?
The main objective of this study is to identify UCSI University’ Readiness Towards Sustainable
Campus in Malaysian Universities. The objectives of this study are to identify implemented
sustainable initiatives at UCSI University and to determine level of effort and readiness of the
university to take on Sustainability. The 3 main objective of this research is to investigate the
sustainable initiatives have been implemented at UCSI University. To evaluate the readiness of
UCSI communities towards sustainable campus. To propose strategies to increase the level of
readiness towards sustainability.
A Questionnaire was used to collect data from practitioners and analyses the responses and rank the
factors and groups on overall view of the contracting parties.
Keywords
Sustainable campus, Green Universities, Sustainable readiness, UCSI University, mother earth.
1.0
Introduction
Sustainability is thexprocess of change, in which thexexploitation ofxresources, the direction
ofxinvestments, the orientation of technologicalxdevelopment and institutional changexare all in
harmony and enhance both current and futurexpotential to meet human needs andxaspirations. The
organizing principle forxsustainability is sustainable development, whichxincludes the following
interconnectedxdomains: environment, economicxand social. Sub-domains ofxsustainable
development have beenxconsidered also: cultural, technological and political. Sustainable
development is the development thatxmeets the needs of the presentxwithoutxcompromising the
ability of future generationsxto meet their own needs.
1.1
Sustainable Campus
Throughout the most recent thirty years, as activist, researchers, and policy producers have all
the more intently analyzed the world's biological frameworks, “sustainability” has accumulated power
and turn into a development (Cortese, 2003). The most as often as possible referred to meaning of
“sustainability” originates from the 1987xBrundtland Report ofxthe World Commissionxon
Environment andxDevelopment in its depiction ofxnew bearings for “our commonxfuture”:
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Final YearxProject Paper, Facultyxof Engineering, UCSIxUniversity (Jan-April 2019)
sustainabilityxincludes “improvement that addresses the issues of the presentxwithout trading off the
capacity of future ages to address theirxown particular issues”.
Generally, exchange, research, and activity inside universities andxuniversities have mirrored
the national open discussion. As Kerr (2001) verbalizes, “As societyxgoes, soxgoes the university; yet
in addition, as the university goes, so goes society” (p. 194). Kerr's announcement recommends a
commitment for the university's benefit to painstakingly regard the national open exchange with a
specific end goal to look at it, yet it additionally proposes the university's basic part in driving change.
The socialxand open motivation behind advanced education has beenxa chronicled mainstay of the
Americanxuniversity's central goal (King and Mayhew, 2004; Zemsky, Wegner, and Massy, 2005;
Merkelxand Litten, 2007). Reuben (1996) composes that university andxuniversity objectives must go
past those that advantage the individual, proceeding to underscore the sociomoralxmeasurement of
advanced educationxthat has existed for a considerable length of time. Sustainability, in its mission to
anchor intra-and betweenxgenerational prosperity, falls inside thisxsociomoral call.
1.2
Sustainable Development at UCSI University
UCSI acquainted a sustainable development objective with change itself into a practical
campus. In March 2018, UCSI University facilitated the primary SDG gathering. The meeting united
understudies from campus, worldwide specialists, improvement professionals, scholastics, and
industry pioneers to share their encounters and best practices in how to break the obstructions to
accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals. In “Manageable Development Goals - Are
Malaysia Ready?”, members and their gatherings of people shared their drives, information and
suppositions on the Sustainable Development Goals. As one of its drives, UCSI is focused on building
up an online platform to secure the idea of economic advancement named “MySDGStep” to enhance
the confirmation, experience and sharing of good practices for the SDGs. In January 2018, the platform
turned into the “knowledge and sharing gateway” for feasible improvement objectives and was
propelled amid the UCSI SDG meeting. From that point forward, MySDGStep is advancing into a
development that would like to accumulate the voice of all sustainability advocates both locally and
universally. Together, UCSI will keep on raising mindfulness and advance a superior comprehension
of the economic improvement objectives.
2.0
Methodology and Experimental Setup
This researchxis belonged to quantitativexresearch which is to recapitulatexresults
fromxsample to thextargeted populationxby quantifyingxdata (Babbie, Earl R., 2009). Moreover, it is
employed to examine the variables so as to determine to factors that would influence UCSI University’
Readiness Towards Sustainable Campus. line with the research, descriptive research design is adopted.
As illustration, descriptivexresearch is a studyxof research and isxwidely used in behavioralxsciences.
It emphasizesxthat issues can bexsolved and improves practices byxobservation, analysis, and
description (Eunsook T. Koh, WillisxL. Owen, 2000). Besides, it is undertaken by the researcher to
get the answers of the 6Ws which are: who, what, when, where, why and how for the questions of the
research (Verónica Rosendo Ríos, E. P., 2013).
2.1
ConceptualxFramework
After conductingxseveral studies thatxfocus sustainable campus, it has formedxa conceptual
framework. Thexconceptual framework adds another factors as independent variable to investigate the
readiness of UCSI University towards sustainable campus.
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Final YearxProject Paper, Facultyxof Engineering, UCSIxUniversity (Jan-April 2019)
Figure 2.1: Conceptual Framework
2.2
Quantitative Research Methods
Quantitative methods underline target estimations and the factual, scientific, or numerical
examination of information gathered through surveys, interviews, and polls, or by controlling prior
measurable information utilizing computational methods. Quantitative research centres around social
event numerical information and summing it up crosswise over gatherings of individuals or to clarify
a specific wonder.
2.3
Research Instrument
Establish a survey questionnaire with the literature review and the purpose to check the relation
of independence variables which are Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste,
Water, Transportation , Education factors influence UCSI University’ Readiness Towards Sustainable
Campus. This study uses a self-administered questionnaire as the research survey instrument. The
questionnaire was distributed online because the researchers wanted to ensure that all interviewees had
access to the Internet. This is an important condition for UCSI University’ Readiness Towards
Sustainable Campus. In addition, since the self-administration survey was filled out by the respondents
themselves, the investigator bias was eliminated without the assistance of the interviewer. The
prejudice of the interviewer occurs when the likelihood of the visitor's existence influences the
respondent to provide an untrue answer (Zikmund et al., 2010). In addition, maintaining the anonymity
of respondents allows researchers to get a true answer.
2.4
Questionnaire Design
Closed-ended questions were included in the survey questionnaires. It provides intervieweespecific limited options and requires them to select the most appropriate answer based on their own
opinions (Zikmund et al., 2010). In addition, this method requires less interview skills, and respondents
are more likely to answer. Moreover, the standardization of alternative responses allows researchers
to easily analyse data because it may limit unexpected responses. Besides, simple English is used to
ensure that respondents fully understand the problem respondents had to answer. In this research,
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Final YearxProject Paper, Facultyxof Engineering, UCSIxUniversity (Jan-April 2019)
questionnaires were separate into 3 sections which Section A, Section B, Section C .Section A asks
respondents to answer questions about their social demographic background such as gender and age
(for reference only). Section B asks respondents to answer questions about UCSI University's readiness
for a sustainable campus. Section C of the questionnaire asks respondents to answer questions about
the factors of UCSI University's preparation for a sustainable campus. The factors which are the six
independent variables of Setting and Infrastructure, Energy and Climate Change, Waste, Water,
Transportation, Education.
3.
3.1
Results and Discussion
Linearity
Table 3.1 Linearity
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Final YearxProject Paper, Facultyxof Engineering, UCSIxUniversity (Jan-April 2019)
Accordingxto Table 3.1, we can see thatxthe sig. values of thexdeviation fromxlinearity for SI
is 0.993. The sig. values ofxthe deviationxfrom linearity forxE is 0.730. The sig. values of
thexdeviation from linearityxfor Waste is 0.214. The sig. values of the deviation from linearity for
Water is 0.053. The sig. values of thexdeviation from linearity for T isx0.152. The sig. valuesxof the
deviation fromxlinearity for Education is 0.864. All the sig. values of the deviation fromxlinearity is
more than 0.05. So, all of the relationshipsxare linearlyxdependent.
3.2 Multicollinearity
Table 3.2 Tests for Multicollinearity
Coefficients
Unstandardized
Coefficients
Model
B
Std. Error
1
(Constant) -.712
.199
SI
-.079
.063
E
.189
.066
Waste
.514
.059
Water
.330
.051
T
.148
.059
Education .050
.072
a. Dependent Variable: Readiness
Standardized
Coefficients
Beta
-.067
.163
.383
.293
.129
.035
t
-3.572
-1.260
2.851
8.651
6.516
2.521
.696
Sig.
.000
.208
.005
.000
.000
.012
.487
Collinearity
Statistics
Tolerance VIF
.371
.318
.528
.511
.395
.400
2.697
2.972
1.893
1.956
2.533
2.503
We know that the rules of thumb for the VIF are as follows:
• VIF < 3: not a problem
• VIF > 3; potential problem
• VIF > 5; very likely problem
• VIF > 10; definitely problem
According to Table 3.2, we can see that all the VIF values of the variable are less than 3. So, all the
values are not a problem.
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Final YearxProject Paper, Facultyxof Engineering, UCSIxUniversity (Jan-April 2019)
3.3
PEARSON CORRELATION TEST
Table 3.3 Pearson Correlations Test
From the Table 3.3, r = 0.740, p < 0.05. In this way, there is noteworthy between Setting and
Infrastructure and Readiness of UCSI college towards sustainable campus in Malaysian universities.
This information demonstrates the quality of this relationship is solid positive. Along these lines, the
positive relationship coefficient of 0.740 methods if improve the Setting & Infrastructure, the
Readiness of UCSI university towards sustainable campus in Malaysian universities will improve
moreover. From the Table 3.3, r = 0.700, p < 0.05. In this manner, there is huge among Energy and
Climate Change and Readiness of UCSI university towards sustainable campus in Malaysian
universities. This information demonstrates the quality of this relationship is solid positive. In this way,
the positive relationship coefficient of 0.700 methods if improve the Energy and Climate Change, the
Readiness of UCSI university towards sustainable campus in Malaysian universities will improve too.
From the Table 3.3, r = 0.738, p < 0.05. In this way, there is critical among waste and Readiness of
UCSI university towards sustainable campus in Malaysian universities. This information demonstrates
the quality of this relationship is most grounded positive. In this way, the positive relationship
coefficient of 0.738 methods if improve the waste, the Readiness of UCSI university towards
sustainable campus in Malaysian universities will improve too. From the Table 3.3, r = 0.801, p < 0.05.
Hence, there is critical among water and Readiness of UCSI university towards sustainable campus in
Malaysian universities. This information demonstrates the quality of this relationship is solid positive.
In this way, the positive connection coefficient of 0.801 methods if improve the water, the Readiness
of UCSI university towards sustainable campus in Malaysian universities will improve too. From the
Table 3.3, r = 0.713, p < 0.05. Subsequently, there is huge among Transportation and Readiness of
UCSI university towards sustainable campus in Malaysian universities. This information demonstrates
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Final YearxProject Paper, Facultyxof Engineering, UCSIxUniversity (Jan-April 2019)
the quality of this relationship is solid positive. In this way, the positive connection coefficient of 0.713
methods if improve the Transportation, the Readiness of UCSI university towards sustainable campus
in Malaysian universities will improve too. From the Table 3.3, r = 0.819, p < 0.05. Along these lines,
there is noteworthy among Education and Readiness of UCSI university towards sustainable campus
in Malaysian universities. This information demonstrates the quality of this relationship is solid
positive. In this way, the positive relationship coefficient of 0.819 methods if improve the education,
the Readiness of UCSI university towards sustainable campus in Malaysian universities will improve
too.
3.4
READINESS LEVEL ANALYSIS
Figure 3.1 Readiness Level
As shown in figure above we separated the readiness level of university campus in to 6 levels
which is Level 0 (not ready) to Level 5 (very ready). In this readiness level analysis, I analyse the data
collected from our survey questionnaire from 227 respondents in UCSI and determine the level of
readiness of UCSI towards a sustainable campus among Malaysian Universities.
Table 3.4 Average means of variables
Variables
Average mean
Readiness
1.993
Setting & Infrastructure
1.76
Energy & Climate Change
1.73
Waste
1.756
Water
1.74
Transportation
1.59
Education
1.82
Total
12.389/35
Total of average means / 35 = 12.389 / 35 = 0. 354
0.354 x 100% = 35.4%
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Final YearxProject Paper, Facultyxof Engineering, UCSIxUniversity (Jan-April 2019)
Figure 3.2 UCSI University Readiness Level
So as a conclusion of readiness level analysis of UCSI University Readiness Level towards
sustainable campus among Malaysian University is only 35.4% ready which lies in between level 1
(20%) and level 2 (40%).
Acknowledgement
A special gratitude given to Dr. Ruzaimah Razman as my research supervisor and guide me throughout
the whole process during my research.
References
1. Jing-Chzi Hsieh, Kung-Ming Liu (2015) Evaluating Criteria For Sustainable Campus In
Feng Chia University.
2. Probyn- Rapsey Fiona; Donaldson Sue; Ioannides George; Lea, Tess; Marsh Kate (2016) A
Sustainable Campus: The Sydney Declaration on Interspecies Sustainability.
3. Jennifer Mcmillin And Rob Dyball (2009) Developing a Whole-of-University Approach to
Educating for Sustainability.
4. Philip Vaughter, Tarah Wright, Yuill Herbert (2015) 50 Shades of Green: An Examination of
Sustainability Policy on Canadian Campuses
5. Ah Choi Er, Asmaa binti Mohamad Salleh (2017) Sustainable Campus Initiatives
Implemented by Higher Education Provider: Practices amongst Students
6. Habib M. Alshuwaikhat, Ismaila Abubakar (2008) An Integrated Approach To Achieving
Campus Sustainability: Assessment Of The Current Campus Environmental Management
Practices
7. S.N.N. Syed Yahya, A.R.M. Ariffin, M.A. Ismail (2010) Green Buildings In Campus: An
Assessment Of Green Potential For Existing Conventional Buildings
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Final YearxProject Paper, Facultyxof Engineering, UCSIxUniversity (Jan-April 2019)
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