Global Classroom Enhances Students’ Understanding of Environmental Issues and Public Health
12 October 2026 | UMPSA Paya Besar
The Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FSTI), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), organised an online Global Classroom session for the BPS2673: Environmental Management and Sustainability course.
Coordinated by Dr. Nor Ashikin Sopian, the session featured guest speaker Ratnaningtyas Wahyu Kusuma Wardani from the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), Indonesia.
In her lecture titled “Asia Under Pressure: Environmental Challenges, Human Health, and Sustainable Solutions”, she discussed the relationship between development, environmental challenges and human health, focusing on climate change, air and water pollution, extreme heat and plastic pollution.
Particular attention was given to transboundary haze caused by forest and peatland fires in Indonesia. The speaker explained how fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) from smoke can travel to neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, affecting air quality and posing health risks. She also highlighted the disproportionate impacts of environmental pollution on vulnerable groups, including children, older adults, individuals with heart or lung diseases and outdoor workers.
During the question-and-answer session, students explored local, national and regional responses to haze pollution. Discussions covered air quality monitoring, limiting outdoor activities during haze episodes, improving indoor air quality and protecting vulnerable communities. The session also emphasised regional cooperation, effective environmental policies and circular economy approaches to reducing waste and resource consumption.
The Global Classroom provided students with an international perspective on environmental challenges while connecting classroom learning with real-world issues in Asia. The session also strengthened academic knowledge exchange between UMPSA and UNAIR in environmental management, sustainability and public health.
