RU ACTIVITY
Mangrove Tree Planting
Raffles University Faculty of Business: Field Trip to Tanjung Piai
On 21st May 2024, students and lecturers from the Faculty of Business at Raffles University embarked on an enriching field trip to Tanjung Piai, the southernmost tip of mainland Asia. The participants from Faculty of Business including: Bachelor of Accountancy (Honours), Bachelor of Supply Chain Management (Honours) and Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) This event was organised in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) Johor and Lembaga Pelabuhan Johor (LPJ). They planted more than 200 mangrove seedlings that day.
The primary focus of the visit was to participate in the Programme “Penanaman Pokok Bakau”, an initiative aimed at environmental conservation through the planting of mangrove trees. This activity provided a hands-on learning experience about the importance of sustainability in the logistics and transport sectors.
Business Students were guided through the mangrove forest, where they learned about the unique biodiversity of the region and the critical functions that mangroves serve in mitigating coastal erosion and supporting marine life. The tree planting activity was a highlight, as they worked alongside local volunteers to plant young mangrove saplings, emphasising the practical aspects of the coursework in supply chain management and environmental logistics.
The process involved filling the soil with nutrients suitable for mangroves, planting the seedlings, and digging deeper holes in more remote areas. It highlighted the importance of replacing old trees to allow new ones to thrive, reflecting the continuous cycle of growth and renewal in nature.
The importance of restoring and protecting mangroves is reflected most clearly in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which focuses on sustainably governing our oceans and coasts and recognises mangroves’ immense value to local communities. But restoring mangrove forests also supports the achievement of many other SDGs, including eliminating poverty and hunger (SDG 1 and SDG 2), ensuring livelihoods and economic growth (SDG 8), taking actions against climate change impacts (SDG 13) and halting biodiversity loss (SDG 15).
The field trip also provided an excellent platform for networking. Our business students had the opportunity to engage with industry professionals from CILT and LPJ, gaining insights into the current trends and challenges in the logistics and maritime sectors in Johor.
We are grateful to CILT Johor and LPJ for their collaboration and support in making this field trip a success. Such events are integral to our mission of providing a holistic education that prepares our students for future careers in the logistics and transport sectors.
