USM, PENANG, 24 January 2017 – “Various countries have adopted a set of goals on September 25, 2015 in Rio as part of their involvement in the Sustainable Development Agenda. These global goals and targets are aimed to initiate action over the next fifteen years,” said the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal in his opening speech at the Public Lecture by Professor Charles Hopkins organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here today.

“It is important for us to realise that the success of these goals is driven by Goal 4 of the Global Education Agenda (Education 2030), which is to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” he said.

Ahmad Shukri, who represented the USM Vice-Chancellor, added that as a higher learning institution, USM has embraced a whole-system approach – mainstreaming sustainability across its entire range of operations including teaching, research, community engagement and institutional arrangement.

According to RCE ESD Penang@USM Coordinator, Professor Dr. Munirah Ghazali, this lecture comes at an opportune moment for all, especially educators, when the launching of the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2015-2025 promotes educators to integrate 21st century learning and teaching practices at all levels of education in Malaysia.

“I am particularly excited about this programme because it brings together faculty members, teachers and students to be engaged in ESD at all levels. 

“We hope that this stimulating atmosphere of the event will assist in bringing creative ideas, allowing quality networking and forging new and exciting partnerships for change,” she added.

The public lecture, presented by UNESCO Chair in Reorienteering Teacher Education for ESD, Professor Charles Hopkins entitled "Reimagining and Implementing ESD Practices for Education 2030: Learning and Beyond" was attended by more than 250 participants from USM and teachers from all over Penang together with participants from RCE Tongyeong in Korea, RCE Greater Western Sydney in Australia, RCE Srinagar and RCE Delhi in India and RCE Dhaka in Bangladesh through live streaming.

Also present were former USM Vice-Chancellor, Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak and wife; USM School of Educational Studies Dean, Professor Dr. Hairul Nizam Ismail and Project Director, Associate Professor Dr. Aswati Hamzah.

Text: Nor Rafizah Md. Zain / Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa