EduAsiaNews, Malang – Amid rising air pollution caused by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and the decline of green open spaces, ornamental plants are no longer valued solely for their aesthetic appeal. Certain species are known for their ability to absorb airborne pollutants, one of the most notable being the snake plant (Sansevieria). This plant helps remove harmful compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and trichloroethylene while simultaneously producing oxygen, thereby contributing to healthier air quality.
These characteristics make the snake plant a practical nature-based solution that can be easily implemented in homes, schools, offices, and public spaces. In addition to being easy to maintain and highly adaptable to various environmental conditions, the plant supports environmental conservation by reducing exposure to air pollution and improving overall quality of life.
Recognizing these benefits, Universitas Negeri Malang (UM) has introduced a simple yet meaningful initiative as part of its 2026 Student Orientation Program (PKKMB). During the orientation, scheduled for 10–14 August 2026, all incoming students are encouraged to bring one snake plant as part of a campus-wide greening campaign.
Through this initiative, UM aims not only to introduce students to campus life but also to instill the awareness that environmental stewardship begins with small, collective actions.
The policy reflects UM’s commitment to fostering a healthy, green, and sustainable campus culture. The snake plant was selected for its proven ecological benefits. Numerous studies have demonstrated its ability to produce oxygen—including at night through the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) process—making it one of the most recommended plants for improving both indoor and outdoor air quality.
Chair of UM’s Green Campus Program, Prof. Dr. Sumarmi, M.Pd., explained that the selection of the snake plant was based on its significant ecological value.
“Snake plants have an excellent ability to absorb pollutants while producing oxygen. The more snake plants we have on campus, the cleaner and more comfortable our environment will become,” said Prof. Sumarmi.
She also encouraged the entire UM academic community to take collective responsibility for maintaining a clean and comfortable campus environment.
“Let us all become oxygen donors for the people within UM and the surrounding community,” she added.
Through PKKMB 2026, UM invites thousands of new students to understand that sustainability is not merely an academic concept but a value that must be practiced in everyday life. Bringing a snake plant symbolizes each student’s commitment as a member of the university community to protecting the campus environment while helping create a healthier and more comfortable learning atmosphere.
Beyond serving as an orientation requirement, the plants are expected to become part of the greening efforts across various areas of the campus. The presence of thousands of snake plants is anticipated to strengthen UM’s green ecosystem while providing students with firsthand experience of how nature-based solutions can help address climate change and air pollution.
This initiative also demonstrates the strategic role of higher education in nurturing environmentally conscious future generations. Incoming students are introduced not only to academic life but also to the importance of becoming agents of change through simple, practical, and collectively impactful actions.
Through this policy, UM conveys that new students are more than participants in an orientation program—they are the next generation expected to create positive environmental change.
The program is aligned with UM’s commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The introduction of snake plants throughout the campus serves as a reminder that creating a healthier environment does not always require sophisticated technology; it can begin with simple, collective actions embraced by the entire university community.
