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Showing posts from May, 2025

Week 9: Field work - On Campus Observation

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  While there is no single, universally accepted definition of a sustainable campus, the concept generally encompasses three core dimensions: environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Many institutions develop their own sustainability frameworks, such as the Campus Sustainability Assessment Framework (CSAF) . At the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), several impactful initiatives have been implemented across various areas: 1. Economic Initiatives Food Bank Program : In collaboration with organization like OhFreeFood app, IIUM works to minimize food waste while supporting students in need. 2. Social Initiatives Mental Health Awareness: Campaigns and articles are shared to raise awareness about mental health challenges, especially in the post-COVID-19 context. Cat Shelter Program: A campus initiative to provide care and shelter for stray cats, fostering compassion and responsibility among students. 3. Enviromental Initiatives Energy Efficiency Measures: I...

Week 8: Roles of institutions in Sustainable Development

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 Salam all, for this week we focused on SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). These two goals are all about working together through strong systems and institutions to make sure the rest of the goals can actually happen. The Role of Institutions Institutions are like the organizers of society. They include: 1. Governments 2. NGOs 3. Private sectors 4. Community groups These institutions create policies, manage resources, and make sure development plans are being followed. Globally, organizations like the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) support countries by giving advice and helping track progress. Malaysia's Efforts Malaysia is serious about SDGs. Here's how our country is working toward them: 1. National SDG Council led by the Prime Minister 2. Malaysia Plans like 11MP, 12MP, and 13MP include SDG goals 3. SDG portal to track progress 4. Involvement from all levels (government, private sector, NGOs, and student) M...

Week 7: Challenge of Sustainable Development

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  Salam all, for this week the topic is Challenge of Sustainable Development.  We learned that sustainability is not just about recycling bins, tree-planting campaigns, or switching to reusable straws. It goes beyond just "being green". It's deeply tied to social justice, economics, governance, and power. Once you start pulling on those threads, the picture becomes much more complex. One thing that kept coming up in our discussions was inequality. Many people around the world still can't access to things we consider as basic needs like clean water, food, healthcare, and education. That’s not just unfair, it’s heartbreaking. It made me see that sustainable development isn’t just about saving the planet but also about fixing the systems that have failed so many people for so long. Our lecturer, Prof. Suhaimi, shared an example I haven’t been able to forget, a cow in Europe receives a daily subsidy almost equal to what a person in Africa survives on their daily basis. Th...

Week 6: Roles of Universities In Sustainable Development

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  Salam all, for this week we explored a topic that truly shifted my perspective which is "The Role of Universities in Sustainable Development"   Education With Purpose We were introduced to the concept of education from Prof. Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas , who said that real education is not just about passing exams. It’s about forming character . True knowledge should shape moral values, spiritual awareness, and a sense of stewardship (khalifah) over the Earth. This is what sustainable development is really about. We use education to create not just smart people , but good people who care about the world around them. What Should Universities Do? 1. Teach sustainability in all disciplines, not just environmental science 2. Focus on character and ethics, not just CGPAs. 3. Do research that solves real problems 4. Engage with community through outreach and service

Week 5: Sejahtera as local Concept of Sustainable Development

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  Salam all, for this week our main focus was on understanding "Sejahtera" as a local concept of sustainable development. At first, I thought "Sejahtera" was just another word for well-being , but it turns out that it goes far beyond that. It represents a holistic state of peace, safety, balance, and harmony, not only for us but also in our communities, environment, and even spiritual lives. I learned that Sejahtera has strong roots in local culture and Islamic worldview, emphasizing principles such as: 1.Tawheed (Oneness of God) 2.Akhlaq (moral character) 3.Amal Soleh (righteous actions) 4.Takwa (God-consciousness) 5.Ihsan (spiritual excellence) These values are keys to nurturing a society that is not only developed materially but also spiritually and ethically strong. One important takeaway was the idea of localizing sustainability . While global discussions on sustainability often focus on climate change and economic models, localizing this concept means adapti...