Philips-Cetree Energy Efficient Mobile Showhome calls on primary schools

Philips and Cetree has embarked on the second phase of its Energy-Efficient Mobile Showhome campaign. This time around, the mobile showhome will visit 20 primary schools around the Klang Valley, Penang, Pahang and Melaka, starting with Sekolah Kebangsaan Klang Gate Gombak.

With a call to action to make a switch to a more energy-efficient lifestyle, the A Simple Switch school roadshow campaign aims to educate students on the various renewable energy sources, while providing simple tips on how to save energy on a daily basis. The children will learn about these the importance of energy efficient practices by participating in specially designed interactive games such as energy-focused versions of ‘Monopoly’ and ‘Snakes & Ladders’.

In addition to the fun and games, students at Sekolah Kebangsaan Klang Gate Gombak participated in a lightbulb exchange activity where they made a pledge to make a change to a more energy efficiency lifestyle by signing the A Simple Switch banner whilst they enchanged their incandescent lightbulbs for Philips energy saving lightbulbs. They also made energy-saving resolutions which were placed on a dedicated ‘pledge wall’ at their school as well as learnt more on the Philips’ A Simple Switch campaign as they were guided through the  www.asimpleswitch.com website.

Officiating the roadshow, Tuan Haji Mohd Anuar bin Haji Abdul Hamid, Chief Deputy Director, Department of Schools, Ministry of Education said, “Green technology and the knowledge of alternative and renewable energy sources are very important issues in the world today. I am pleased that Philips and Cetree are spreading awareness of the importance of being energy efficient and the benefits renewable energy sources among primary school students through this one of a kind mobile showhome.”

The mobile showhome is a vehicle that is designed to educate people on renewable energy and energy efficiency, contains five knowledge kiosks – General Knowledge on Renewable Energy, Energy-Efficient Electrical Equipment, Solar Thermal, Solar Electric and Biomass – all comprising of simple activities that give practical experience. Believe it or not, the engine is designed to run on 100% palm oil.

“At Philips, our point of view is built on simple technologies and solutions that help people save energy and money. This same view is applied to our social responsibility and community programs such as The Philips-Cetree Energy Efficient Mobile showhome initiative.  Our efforts are simple and straightforward but form critical small steps which are effective in cultivating awareness on the benefits of energy efficiency,” said Dr. R. Kumar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Philips Group of Companies, Malaysia.

He added that last year, the mobile showhome was effective in bringing awareness and experience of energy efficiency as well as the various renewable energy sources to rural areas nationwide.

The need for greater awareness and education on energy efficiency and alternative energy sources today is as important as ever. A testament to this can be seen in the energy related issues that Malaysians are facing of late with the recent increase in the cost of fuel as well as electricity.

“With the undeniable energy crunch the world over, energy efficient lighting solutions combined with simple daily responsible practices are one of the key actions for Malaysian households to manage their usage rates. Energy saving lighting is not only a cheaper alternative in terms of pricing over the long run, but it is also an effective solution in terms of reducing green house gases,” added Dr. Kumar. 

After Sekolah Kebangsaan Klang Gate Gombak, The Philips-Cetree Energy-Efficient Mobile Showhome will be traveling to various schools in Selangor, Melaka, Pahang and Penang in the next few months. Some of the roadshow locations include, Sekolah Kebangsaan St Frances (Melaka), Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Bahagia Temerloh (Pahang) and Sekolah Kebangsaan Convent Bukit Mertajam (Penang)

“The awareness on energy efficiency should be cultivated at a young age as this instills the right responsible behaviour and practice as they become adults. We hope this initiative would plant the seed for a mindset that would reduce the need to use up natural resources, and preserve the environment for generations to come,” said Associate Professor Dr. Haslan Abu Hassan, Dean, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). “Therefore, it is important that we drive awareness on the benefits of using energy-efficient items or equipment, which we will continue with the aid of the Mobile Showhome.”

For more information on Philips’ A Simple Switch Campaign, please visit www.asimpleswitch.com

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle, delivering people-centric, innovative products, services and solutions through the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 134,200 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 27 billion in 2007, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, as well as lifestyle solutions for personal wellbeing. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About Cetree
Cetree (Centre for Education, Training and Research in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency) was initiated to create awareness of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency as they play a significant role in the energy provisions of energy services in Malaysia. Cetree activities involves various aspects of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency which includes the involvement of school children, tertiary level students, general awareness for the public and also training schemes for professionals in understanding Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency better.