OKAYAMA, JAPAN, 21 October 2025 – The Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Penang, hosted by the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), together with the School of Educational Studies and the School of Communication, achieved a remarkable milestone at the 14th Global Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Conference held in Okayama, Japan recently.

Organised by the United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) in Japan, RCE Penang received two prestigious RCE Awards 2025, as recognition for its excellence in advancing Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through both environmental and community-focused initiatives.

The recognition came under two categories, namely the Outstanding Flagship Project Award for “Translating SDG through Mangrove Conservation Activities” and the Youth-Led Outstanding Flagship Project Award for “Communication @ Love in Transit (COMM@L.I.T.)”.

The first initiative, led by a lecturer from the USM School of Educational Studies, Associate Professor Dr. Rabiatul-Adawiah Ahmad Rashid, brought together communities, schools, and universities to restore degraded mangrove areas in Kedah (Merbok) and Penang (Balik Pulau and Sungai Acheh) since its inception in 2018.

More than 10,400 mangrove trees have since been planted, supported by community nurseries that also supply seedlings to neighbouring reforestation zones.

Beyond replanting, the project established Mangrove Educational Galleries and the STREAM + Bakau Lab, turning mangrove forests into interactive learning environments for teachers, students, and local residents.

It was initiated in partnership with the Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA) and supported by local collaborators such as the Kedah and Penang Forestry Departments, the Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (PIFWA), and Kelab Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Puncak, Merbok.

The project directly contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The Coordinator of RCE Penang, Associate Professor Dr. Japareng Lalung upon reflecting on the recognition, said that the award reflects the power of collaboration between communities, educators, and international partners.

“Through education and local action, we have turned mangrove conservation into a living model of sustainability that links science, culture, and community well-being.”

Rabiatul-Adawiah then added, by saying that the recognition from UNU-IAS validates the shared effort of local communities and educators who see conservation as part of their everyday lives.

“It shows that education, when rooted in real-world challenges, can restore both ecosystems and the human connection to nature,” she said.

The second initiative meanwhile, relates to a student-led initiative from the USM School of Communication, that demonstrates the transformative impact of youth engagement in social sustainability.

The initiative focuses on empowering the homeless community at the ‘Pusat Transit Gelandangan Pulau Pinang (PTGPP)’ under the Penang State Welfare Department (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Negeri Pulau Pinang).

The programme, conducted in two phases on 24 May and 14 June 2025, conducted health screenings, sustainability workshops, community aerobics, and environmental clean-up activities designed to enhance self-reliance, promote healthy living, and strengthen social inclusion.

Under the guidance of Professor Dr. Jamilah Hj. Ahmad, who is an expert in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability communication, the COMM@L.I.T. initiative was implemented through a collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, welfare organisations, and corporate partners.

COMM@L.I.T. received strong public visibility and national coverage in the local media such as Utusan Malaysia, The Star, BERNAMA, The Sun, Sin Chew Daily, and Kwong Wah Daily, alongside over 150,000 digital engagements on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok (@commcsr.usm).

The initiative aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

According to Jamilah, the initiative’s success lies in the synergy between academic guidance and student-led empathy.

She said, “COMM@ L.I.T. goes beyond communication, it connects humanity and hope. It teaches students that sustainability is not just about the environment but also about caring for people, building dignity, and creating opportunities for all.”

Both projects exemplify USM’s deep commitment to sustainability education, social empowerment, and transformative learning for sustainable futures.

The double recognition at the 14th Global RCE Conference, themed “Transformative Learning for Sustainable Futures,” places RCE Penang and USM at the forefront of sustainability education in Asia-Pacific.

Both projects, one led by the community and another by students, exemplify how education, science, and compassion can converge to achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Text: RCE Penang Secretariat, Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), USM/ Editing: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin