SHOWCASING E-SPORTS AND GAMIFICATION SKILLS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: USM STUDENTS SHINE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

USM PENANG, 10 May 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), renowned for its strong commitment to environmental sustainability and climate change issues, recently participated in the 4th International E-Sports Tournament, the USM CGSS X Tzu Chi PaGamO Environmental Education E-Sports World Cup IV International Finals 2025, held at the Tzu Chi Education Centre in Georgetown, Penang.

The tournament was organised by the Tzu Chi Foundation in collaboration with the Environmental Protection & Education Hub (EPEHub) and the USM Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS).

The event brought together 388 participants from Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand, including 21 participants from USM.

Prior to this, the participating USM undergraduate students had competed in the World Cup IV Malaysia Finals 2025 tournament, which was held on 16 March 2025 at Dewan Utama Pelajar (DUP), USM Main Campus.

Two students, Lee Yen Fei and Wong Sze Keith, performed exceptionally well, securing 15th and 29th place, respectively.

Subsequently, Yen Fei maintained his impressive performance in the International Finals, achieving 9th place globally in the Group B category.

This year’s competition, divided into Group A (Primary 6 and below) and Group B (Secondary and above, including adults), tested the participants' grasp on key topics such as climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and ecological stewardship.

The gamified format of PaGamO not only fostered critical thinking but also highlighted how digital innovation can enhance environmental awareness.

The 4th USM CGSS X Tzu Chi PaGamO Environmental Education E-Sports World Cup IV International Finals 2025 was officially launched by Dr. Mohd Sukri Shafie, representing USM CGSS.

As the advisor for Green Ambassadors, EPEHub@CGSS>, Mohd Sukri emphasized that the initiative closely aligns with USM’s mission to empower youth as sustainability leaders.

Through weeks of workshops, training sessions, and local outreach across Malaysian schools and universities, the programme engaged more than 1,500 participants nationwide, emphasizing the increasing need for greater awareness of climate change, carbon emissions, and disaster education.

Overall, the participation and performance of USM students reaffirmed the university’s role as a hub for environmentally-conscious leadership and global engagement.

The PaGamO platform, originally launched in 2021 under the “Eco-Disaster Warrior Training Programme,” has now reached over 310,000 learners globally, evolving into a movement that blends environmental science, sustainable lifestyle responsibility, and the spirit of competition.

As the climate crisis intensifies, initiatives like this continue to highlight that the future of environmental education lies at the intersection of technology, creativity, and community empowerment—values that USM students proudly showcased on the international stage.

Original article at USM news portal: https://news.usm.my/index.php/english-news/11652-showcasing-e-sports-and-gamification-skills-to-promote-environmental-education-usm-students-shine-on-the-international-stage