“UNM has been more than a place of study. It has been a launchpad for real-world impact. The university’s whole-person learning model has prepared her with the knowledge, confidence and practical experience to lead and make a difference.”
CHUANG SHAN NEE
BSs (Hons) in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience
Inside the serene University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) campus nestled at the foothills of the Titiwangsa Mountains in Semenyih, one student arrived with a quiet determination to create meaningful change.
Chuang Shan Nee stepped into university life with energy and purpose, immersing herself in lectures, projects and a range of extracurricular activities.
Eventually, it was through her leadership of the UNM Sustainable Environmental Education Network (SEEN) that she found her calling. She led the WasteNott Project, an initiative inspired by her longstanding passion for sustainability and ecologically-responsible living.
Concerned by the large number of single-use food containers discarded across the campus, Shan Nee formulated a project to tackle the issue directly. Rather than keeping it theoretical, she developed a practical plan and presented it to the university’s Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Her proposal received support through UNM’s Environmental Sustainability Initiative (ESI) fund, which empowers student-led sustainability projects. With this backing, Shan Nee began putting her plan into action by rallying support and coordinating efforts across campus.
On 23 October 2024, the WasteNott Project officially launched with strong participation from students and staff alike. Some 30 staff members attended the event including five members of the university’s Management Board.
Around 200 students joined in the sustainability-themed station games and received reusable food containers. This hands-on approach proved both popular and effective.
Before the project, food stalls on campus used an estimated 800 to 1,000 plastic containers per stall each month. Today, single-use containers have been almost entirely eliminated on campus.
Drawing from the skills she developed in her psychology and neuroscience classes, Shan Nee engaged in discussions with campus business operators and successfully convinced them to adopt greener practices. The response was highly encouraging and the environmental benefits were immediate and visible.
Her commitment to sustainability continues to grow. Shan Nee is currently working with academics and administrative teams to develop green event guidelines for the university. Thirteen departments have participated in focus group discussions to shape the initiative, which is expected to be launched later this year.
For Shan Nee, UNM has been more than a place of study. It has been a launchpad for real-world impact. The university’s whole-person learning model has prepared her with the knowledge, confidence and practical experience to lead and make a difference.
Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue advanced research focused on supporting neurodivergent individuals in managing mental health challenges. This goal brings together her academic background and her strong sense of social responsibility, both of which have been nurtured at UNM.
The future is bright for this talented and determined student. UNM has clearly provided the environment where she has turned ideas into action and built the foundations for lasting change.