Malaysian Universities Collaborate on the Landmark Development of Sustainability Policy for Higher Education Institutions

Malaysian Universities Collaborate on the Landmark Development of Sustainability Policy for Higher Education Institutions

PUTRAJAYA, November 8, 2024 – Leading sustainability representatives from Malaysian universities united in a significant step towards developing the Higher Education Institutions Sustainability Policy (Dasar Kelestarian Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi or DK-IPT). This initiative, led by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and mandated by the Ministry of Higher Education, aims to embed sustainability in higher education through five key pillars: People (Rakyat), Planet (Alam Sekitar), Prosperity (Kemakmuran), Peace (Keamanan), and Partnership (Jaringan Kerjasama), which underscores significant highlights on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). 

The fourth and crucial stakeholder engagement session focusing on HEI Group (Public and Private), held at Mercure Hotel in Putrajaya, served as a platform for policy validation and drew participation from sustainability leaders and representatives from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr Mohd. Fadhil Md Din - Director, Campus Sustainability Office), International Islamic University Malaysia (Prof. Dr. Zainal Abidin Sanusi, Director of Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Associate Professor Dr. Awangku Hassanal Bahar Pengiran Bagul, Director of UMS EcoCampus Management Centre), Universiti Malaya (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeeda Fatimah Mohamad - Director of UM Sustainable Development Centre, and UMSDC Research Officer, Mr. Mohd Fadhli Rahmat Fakri), Universiti Putra Malaysia (Madam Nor Shazwani Izyan Ayub, Sustainability and Green Campus Section), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, UMPSA, UTAR, UCSI (Mr. Leong Sat Sing, Vice President of SDG Secretariat Office) and joined by representatives from Ministry of Education (Education Policy Planning and Research Division) and Yayasan MySDG (Madam Anita Ahmad, CEO). 

This collaborative initiative, titled 'Strengthening Sustainability Policy in Higher Education Institutions', officially commenced in November 2023. Chaired by USM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Industry and Community Network, Prof. Dr. Azlan Amran as Project Leader, with Prof. Dr. Saidatulakmal Mohd (Professor of Economics, School of Social Sciences and Director, Women and Gender Research Centre - KANITA) as Co-Researcher and dedicated USM Team, the session marked a milestone in fostering a unified approach to sustainability in Malaysia’s higher education sector.

The DK-IPT development spearheaded by USM, with institutional support of public and private HEIs, brings a new hope with collective voices in pushing sustainability agenda through Whole Institution Approach (WIA) and empowering local values (nilai watan) across all four core business or governance of HEIs: Teaching & Learning, Research & Innovation, Operations, and Industry & Community Engagement.