Petaling Jaya, 13 July 2009 - In efforts to ensure a healthier and greener tomorrow, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMW Toyota Motor) today, concluded the first year of Toyota Eco Rangers Programme (TER) with an awards presentation held in SMK (P) Sri Aman, Petaling Jaya. 

Participated by 22 secondary schools within the Klang Valley, the 3-year programme consists of workshops, concept paper presentation, tree planting, greening and nurturing activities.

The award presentation ceremony was officiated by YBhg Dato’ Hajah Noor Rezan Bt. Bapoo Hashim, Deputy Director General, Educational Operation Sector, Ministry of Education.

Speaking at the function, Haji Aminar Rashid Salleh, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing Group, UMW Toyota Motor said, “As we end the first year of Toyota Eco Rangers Programme last month, a total of 755 indigenous trees have been planted in the 22 participating schools, by the students who have successfully applied the knowledge acquired from the Eco Camp workshop.“

Commenting on the students’ participation, Haji Aminar Rashid said, the students from each school have been very resourceful and managed to establish networking with local councils and relevant bodies in their effort to acquire trees, materials and funds”.

Haji Aminar Rashid also said, to further sustain the TER programme, schools who continue with the project will be guided closely by UMW Toyota Motor and YAWA on nurturing the various indigenous trees that have been planted in their schools and work towards building the forest.

“Apart from that, the students will be taught on how to do labelling and inventory.  They are also encouraged to continue with nurturing activities such as composting, producing enzymes and recycling, and also networking with the community, entrepreneur-ship and move towards greening their school’s environment,” he said.

Haji Aminar Rashid also mentioned that UMW Toyota Motor will continue their active participation with sustainable tree planting activities.

“We are going to invite the Toyota Eco Rangers participants to a Tree Planting event, to be held in November this year, together with our Toyota Staff Volunteers. In March 2010, the 2nd year Eco camp will be held to further sustain the Toyota Eco Rangers Programme. The final awards presentation will be held in June 2011 to complete the 3-year Toyota Eco Rangers Programme,” he said.
 
The most all round progress school received cash prizes ranging from RM1,000 to RM3,000 for top three schools. Aims to encourage schools to be active in the program, three special recognition awards were also given to school which excels in three categories that are ‘Best Nurturing and Environmental Practices’ for best practises, ‘Tree Planting’ for schools with the healthiest trees and ‘Reporting’ for schools with the best documentation using a scrapbook format. The special recognition awards for the 1st year winners will each receive RM1,000 respectively. 

UMW Toyota Motor’s commitment to CSR has been an integral part of its corporate culture since it was formed in 1982. Their CSR approach of a “History of service to society’ is consistent with the company’s brand message, “Moving Forward”, a concept that is in consonant with the company’s philosophy of constant self-improvement and growth for a better future for all.