Logistics industry goes green with APU

Joint effort: (from left) Mohammad Nizam, Datuk Abd Radzak, Hari and Datuk Parmjit Singh at the ceremony to seal the collaboration.

WHILE much has been said about the importance of protecting the environment, more needs to be done to achieve sustainability goals.

Cognisant of this, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) has teamed up with CILT Ventures Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Malaysia (CILTM), to address the sustainability and environmental goals and concerns of the logistics and transportation industries.

As part of this collaboration, the Green Supply Chain and Logistic Excellent Centre (GEC) set up by both parties will drive innovation and research in multiple technology areas for this sector.

PhD students at APU School of Postgraduate Studies will also be granted funding and benefit through research areas related to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices and the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).

In addition, undergraduates at the varsity will be offered internships in key areas by CILTM members.

Present at a recent ceremony to formalise the collaboration were APU vice-chancellor Dr Hari Narayanan and CILT Ventures Malaysia chairman Datuk Abd Radzak Abd Malek.

APU chief executive officer Datuk Parmjit Singh and CILT Ventures Malaysia chief executive officer Dr Mohammad Nizam Baharom were also in attendance.

Abd Radzak said the logistics industry plays a crucial part in helping protect the environment.

“We need to enlist experienced experts who understand the science behind our environment to be part of our team.

“Let’s not forget the value of an independent voice and the importance of universities, researchers and professional bodies in providing professional advice,” he said in a press release from APU.

Parmjit highlighted innovation as a driver in this collaboration.

“Let us constantly challenge ourselves to be at the forefront through innovative ideas and solutions that create value to industry, environment and society,” he said.

APU, through its Integrated Sustainability & Urban Creativity Centre (ISUC), has been driving research in SDGs and inculcating ESG in its practices across the board.

CILTM is the professional body representing the logistics and transportation industries in Malaysia, and is affiliated with CILT International based in the United Kingdom.