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Citizenship Project brings sustainable
development education to Malaysia’s youth
Aminah Ayob, Rajendran Nagappan and Eng-Tek Ong, Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia
S
ultan Idris Education University (SIEU) follows Malaysia’s
National Higher Education Strategic Plan and New Economic
Model, promoting and practising education for sustainable
development (ESD) to enable delivery across the curriculum to staff,
students, communities and authorities. Various initiatives towards
sustainable development have been taken at university and faculty
levels, one of the most noteworthy being the Malaysian Citizenship
Project, jointly organized with University Science Malaysia (USM).
This project brought together universities, schools, teachers, students,
parents, communities and authorities in an effort to create a more
sustainable living environment. The main aim was to educate young
Malaysian adults of 13 to 15 years old on their roles as citizens of
the country and the world to ensure sustainability of cultural and
environmental development.
ESD: the Malaysian perspective
Malaysia was one of the earliest countries to act progressively in greening
the environment by enacting the Environment Quality Act in 1974. The
concept of sustainability in Malaysia dates back to the Third Malaysian
Plan (1976-1980) to promote sustainability in the habitats of humans,
flora and fauna, along with the preservation of cultural heritage in the
midst of population growth and industrialization. The subsequent
Malaysian Plans reaffirmed the concept in different key areas.
The Fourth and Fifth Malaysian Plans, formulated in line with
national economic policy, focused on eradicating poverty and address-
ing marginalization in order to secure unity and peace. In recognizing
the scarcity of natural resources, the Sixth and Seventh Malaysian
Plans continued with proactive policies to protect the sea, wetlands,
endangered species and biodiversity and to reduce pollu-
tion. Vision 2020, aimed at helping Malaysia to become a
fully developed country, also recognizes the importance
of sustainability. Under the Eighth and Ninth Malaysian
Plans, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
was established in 2004, uniting 14 agencies from four
ministries to tackle issues related to environmental
sustainability. In 2009, the Ministry of Energy, Green
Technology and Water was established.
The New Economic Model of 2010 lifted the concept
of sustainable development to a new level by including
sustainability as one of the principles for transforming
Malaysia into a high-income economy. Malaysia aims to
be a green hub for researchers and businesses.
Environmental education is taught across the curric-
ulum at pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary
levels. At tertiary level, specific courses pertaining to
ESD are also offered as courses or as elective papers.
The ESD initiatives transcend boundaries through the
practise of sustainable development in extra-curricular
activities outside classrooms and schools.
ESD at SIEU
SIEU recognizes the importance of ESD in creating a
generation of future teachers that can lead the younger
generation towards a sustainable future. Initiatives at SIEU
focus on equipping the students with 21st century skills in
order to achieve the objectives of ESD.
At the university level, values and skills are inculcated
among the staff and the students, based on the six shared
BITARA values of integrity, professionalism, teamwork,
client orientation, sympathy to staff welfare, creativity
and innovation. Students also learn communication skills,
thinking skills, problem-solving skills, lifelong learning and
informationmanagement skills, teamwork skills, leadership
skills, professional ethics and entrepreneurship skills.
The university also perpetuates Malay civilization by
sustaining and promoting its values and culture at local,
regional and global levels. SIEUplays a vital role in research-
ing, advocating and preserving the elements found inMalay
culture. One of the most significant initiatives taken is the
conservation of historical buildings in SIEU.
Approaches to teaching and learning, along with
content and infrastructures, are kept up-to-date so that
students are aware of the latest changes around the
world. Local and foreign experts are invited to share the
Example of a panel presentation at the Malaysian Citizen Project showcase
Image: UPSI