USM PENANG, 26 November 2024 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through its Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Penang initiative, partnered with SMAN (Sekolah Menengah Agama Negeri) 10 Fajar Harapan in Banda Aceh, Indonesia to conduct the International Seminar on SDG Practices: Enriching the Well Being Among Nations, focusing on fostering youth engagement in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building strong international partnerships for sustainable development.

The seminar, held in early November 2024, served as a platform for youth from both Malaysia and Indonesia to connect, share insights, and discuss the challenges and opportunities related to sustainable practices in their respective communities.

Representatives from USM, led by Dr. Rohaya Abdullah of RCE Penang, led interactive sessions that showcased various ways youth can contribute to the SDGs.

Rohaya highlighted that USM has a long-standing commitment to involving its students in SDG-related projects, a core value that has guided the university’s sustainability efforts.

“We have brought the RCE Sejahtera Youth (RSY) initiative into this collaboration, presenting our projects through a Digital Story Book and Video Storytelling format as educational tools.

“These resources are designed to inspire and equip students with a deep understanding of SDGs while fostering creativity and advocacy,” said Rohaya from the USM School of Educational Studies.

During her keynote presentation, Rohaya provided an insightful overview of RCE Penang’s initiatives and the broader history and importance of the SDGs.

Focusing specifically on SDG 4, she addressed the challenges in Malaysian education, such as declining tertiary education enrollment and STEM interest.

She emphasised the implementation of alternative education measures, such as Open University Malaysia’s, Micro-credentials and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), aimed at increasing accessibility and aligning educational outcomes with industry needs.

Rohaya also underscored the role of Global Citizenship Education (GCED) in cultivating active, responsible citizens prepared to address global issues collaboratively.

The seminar emphasised multiple SDGs, including quality education (SDG 4), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), sustainable communities (SDG 11), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17), reinforcing the need for collaborative efforts among youth in the ASEAN region to achieve these goals.

Students and educators at SMAN 10 Fajar Harapan engaged in the digital storytelling presentations, which illustrated the practical impact of sustainability projects and encouraged participants to consider how these approaches could be adapted within their own communities.

USM’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to championing the SDGs by fostering youth leadership and building regional partnerships.

The event emphasised the importance of knowledge-sharing and cross-cultural understanding in advancing SDG efforts, particularly through educational outreach and innovative learning platforms.

Rohaya noted that such collaborations are critical in developing the next generation of leaders who are well-equipped to address global challenges, thereby contributing meaningfully to sustainable development and community well-being.

This seminar highlights USM’s pivotal role as a regional advocate for SDG implementation, inspiring students across borders to take meaningful action and creating lasting change for a sustainable future.

Text & Photo: Wan Sharipahmira M. Zain (RCE Penang)/Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin