Ahmad Mukhsein Mukhtar
PICS COURTESY OF UUM
SINTOK: Twelve public universities have come together at the Higher Education Institution Sustainability Summit 2024 to share knowledge and expertise on promoting sustainability in higher education.
The two-day event, organised by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), starts today and is being held at EDC-UUM.
UUM Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Datuk Dr Mohd Shukor Mahfar said the summit aims to foster partnerships among Malaysian universities, accelerating sustainability efforts and sharing best practices.
"The focus is on building a unified approach that transcends institutional boundaries," he said after opening the summit and launching UUM's Living Campus Blueprint 2030.
Present was UUM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan.
Shukor said the summit will set the stage for ongoing collaboration and innovation in sustainability within higher education.
"The vision and strategies developed here will guide us towards a sustainable future for all," he added.
He also noted the importance of aligning with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to tackle global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.
"These goals are interconnected and require coordinated efforts to ensure no one is left behind—a promise central to this mission.
"As such, every higher learning institution must remain committed to aligning research, education, and community engagement initiatives with the SDGs," he added.
On the Living Campus Blueprint, Shukor said it outlines UUM's strategy to embrace the evolving landscape of sustainability in higher education."
"The objectives include building resilience, fostering creative thinkers, humanising innovation, and measuring sustainability performance," he added.
He also highlighted the success of the Drive-Thru Recycle Centre (DTRC-UUM), the first drive-thru recycling centre at a public university.
"In just 16 months, DTRC-UUM has diverted over 58 tonnes of recyclables from landfills, saving 349 trees, 30 million gallons of water, and returning RM35,047 to the local community," he added.