In conjunction with the World’s Ocean Day, Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Kuching in collaboration with Old Kuching SMART Heritage (OKSHe) and Hemisphere Corporation has successfully held the National Ocean Virtual Art Competition (NOVAC) 2022 with a theme of ‘Protecting Malaysia Ocean Diversity’.
A total of 30 paintings were submitted and 20 paintings were shortlisted from amongst the entries. A virtual award ceremony was held on 21st July 2022 via Google Meet platform was attended by over 80 attendees. Asst. Prof. Dr Luqman Lee representing Vice Chancellor of UCSI University, Prof. Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Siti Hamisah binti Tapsir delivered the welcoming speech during the award ceremony. Besides that, Tuan Azlan bin Haji Ali Badri representing Deputy State Secretary (Operation) of Department of the Premier of Sarawak, YBhg. Datu Dr. Sabariah Putit delivered the opening speech and thereafter officiating the virtual award ceremony. The virtual award ceremony was also attended by Pro Vice Chancellor (Kuching Campus) and Chairperson of RCE Kuching, Mdm. Mukvinder Sandhu; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs and Alumni of UCSI University and Vice Chairperson of RCE Kuching, Prof. Dr Yeong Siew Wei; Executive Director of SDG Secretariat Office and Chairperson of RCE Greater Kuala Lumpur, Mdm. Norani Abu Bakar as well as Organizing Chairperson of NOVAC 2022, Ms. Francesca Enchang along with judges, participants, and other representatives of organisations.
Champion of the competition received a voucher of 2 days 1-night complimentary stay at Damai Beach Resort, a cash prize of RM500, and a UCSI Bursary of 100% (for Foundation Studies or Diploma Year 1 or Degree Year 1) along with e-certificate. For the winner of 1st Runner-Up, 2 days 1-night complimentary stay at Riverside Majestic Astana Wing, a cash prize of RM400, and a UCSI Bursary of RM10000 along with e-certificate were given. For the winner of 2nd Runner-Up, complimentary weekend hot wheels buffet dinner at Orchid Garden, Grand Margherita Hotel for 2 pax, a cash prize of RM300, and a UCSI Bursary of RM8000 along with e-certificate were given. For 3rd Runner-Up, 4th Runner-Up and Consolation, the prizes include different amounts of cash prizes and UCSI Bursary along with e-certificates. There was also an open quiz held on that day to test the knowledge of participants regarding World Ocean Day. RCE badges were given to the top 3 winners of the quiz.
The RCE Kuching Chairperson, Mdm. Mukvinder Sandhu explained that the art competition was aimed to gather unique perspectives of local communities on rivers and ocean sustainability and how they can express themselves in various forms of art. She elaborated by saying, “We would like to promote the goals of SDG 6 which is Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 14; that is, Life Below Water. We want to empower our locals to understand what they can do to contribute to each of these global goals”.
Impact of this competition:
- The significance of this competition is that the participants’ sensitivity and understanding of the sustainability of the Malaysia’s Ocean have been enhanced. The competition has covered four areas of teaching and learning. These four areas were cognitive learning, socio-emotional learning, behavioural learning, and psychomotor learning, by creating works of art, such as painting or drawing to demonstrate awareness of this competition.
- Compilation participants’ database for the upcoming RCE project. This database is especially aimed to those who join the RCE Youth Ambassador Program and wish to improve their artistic skills.
- Acceptance of digital economy. In order to make QR codes more acceptable to participants and the public, it is hope that the transition to the digital economy will become a trend, which is part of the moves to reduce paper consumption.
Besides the art competition, RCE Kuching had organized two other supporting activities which include:
– 3rd March 2022: Plastic Matters Awareness Talk (collaboration with Worming Up and attended by UCSI University Students).
– 8th April 2022: Beach Cleaning (collaboration with Kuching Beach Cleaner and participated by RCE Kuching members, UCSI club members and RCE Youth Ambassadors).
It is hoped that RCE Kuching’s future programmes will continue to improve the society’s awareness on the importance of ocean cleanliness and the ways to reduce marine pollution, imparting education for sustainable development into the hearts of the people of Kuching and beyond thereby fulfilling many SDGs goals.
For recorded video of this award ceremony, kindly visit : https://www.facebook.com/rce.kuching.3/videos/798063131204305/
Working Committee during the Award Ceremony