USM PENANG, 1 December 2024 – When the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Penang was set up at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2008, it was one of the first seven to be established in the world at the time.

Since then, more than 190 RCEs around the world have been registered, with Malaysia alone having close to 7-8 RCEs, each one representing a different part or region of the country.

All RCEs worldwide are under the responsibility of the United Nations University-Institute for the Advancement of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) in Tokyo, Japan.

Currently RCE Penang@USM is under the supervision of the USM Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS).

RCE Penang has recently been chosen by the RCE Global Network as the recipient of two awards. The awards won are the 2024 RCE Awards for Innovative Projects on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

RCE Penang was informed on the winning entries via email.

RCEs from many parts of the world took part in the competition. These awards recognise projects and programmes that establish linkages between local and global prospects regarding sustainable development, involving education and transformative research, as well as initiatives that contribute to the community engagement, research & development, and capacity development of stakeholders and also partners.

In winning the three awards, the impact that the awards would bring to RCE Penang and USM include:

1. Enhancing the Reputation of USM as an APEX University

Recognition of the projects submitted reflects the capability of RCE Penang and the university in leading initiatives which uphold the concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

This would surely enhance the image of USM as an institution that is at the frontline in innovations regarding education and sustainable development, which would align with the agenda of an APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) University.

2. Raising the Credibility of RCE Penang

As a centre that is responsible in advancing high-impact projects, this success has brought greater credibility to RCE Penang as the leader, in promoting the SDGs further at the regional and global levels.

This success underlines the important role that RCE Penang plays in establishing strong, collaborative networks throughout Asia and the rest of the world.

3. Recognition to CGSS for having the Expertise in Sustainable Development

CGSS, which plays an important role in the research and implementation of these projects, would surely garner the attention as a centre of expertise in offering support for projects relating to the community, education, and strategic collaborations.

This would provide CGSS with the platform to attract more cooperation with other institutions and organisations around the world.

4. Strengthens Global Collaborative Network

The involvement of RCE Penang in projects such as collaborations with Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has highlighted the capability of USM in establishing transnational linkages.

These acknowledgements would surely affirm the trust of current partners and gain the interest of other parties to set up networks for future initiatives.

5. Attract Attention of Academic and Industry Communities

The awards would provide the USM ESD projects with the needed exposure by utilising a global platform such as the RCE Network.

This would attract the interests of the academia, researchers, and the industry for them to offer support or to invest in a projects focusing on innovations in education and sustainability.

6. Raising the Profiles of USM Students and Staff

These projects portray the roles of USM staff and students as the main driving force in efforts relating to sustainable development.

Recognition at the international level would not only instil a sense of pride to those at USM, but would also provide motivation to both staff and students to further excel in other such projects in the future.

Text: Wan Sharipahmira Mohd Zain (RCE Penang)/Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin