KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants the Education Ministry to plan, formulate and integrate a syllabus and course on green technology.

This, he said, was towards upgrading the country's education system to a world-class level and capable of producing excellent students, as well as realise the importance of preserving the earth and the environment.

"I urge for schools to always take steps, especially in efforts to introduce and implement basic green projects at their respective schools, as well as adopt the recycling culture.

"Certainly, initiatives like these can inculcate awareness on the system and green values among students," he said in his speech at the Malaysia Greentech Awards here last night.

The event is organised by the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry and Green Tech Malaysia. Also present at the function were Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui and his deputy, Datuk Noriah Kasnon.

Muhyiddin said public and private institutions of higher learning should also offer more courses on green technology to meet markets demands in the country.

"This will develop and provide the workforce and human capital capability with focus and knowledge on green technology," he added.

On the Malaysia Greentech Awards, he hoped it would be continued in years to come as an encouragement and recognition for efforts made to enhance technological development in Malaysia.

Winners of the Malaysia Greentech Awards 2012:

Green Technology Award - Journalism category:

1. Nazarul Aziz Shahruddin (Harian Metro) Gold Award for Malay newspaper
2. Chuah Bee Kim (The New Straits Times)Gold Award for English newspaper
3. Izamhadi Sidik (RTM 1)Gold Award for television category
4. Khairunnisa Sulaiman (Utusan Malaysia) Silver Award for Malay newspaper

Special Media Award for Television:

1. Astro Awani Network Sdn Bhd

Special Award for Print Media:

1. The New Straits Times (M) Sdn Bhd
2. Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd

Green Technology Award (school category):

1. Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Lembah Bidong, Setiu, Terengganu (Gold Award)
2. SMK Dato Onn, Butterworth, Penang (Gold Award)

Green Technology Award (university category)

1. Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor. (Gold Award)
2. Center of Lipid Engineering and Applied Research (CLEAR), Universiti Teknolgi Malaysia, Johor. (Gold Award)

Green Technology Award (commercial developer category)

1. Sunway Berhad (Gold Award)

- Bernama