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WEEK 10: QUIZ

In Week 10, no lecture was conducted but we completed a quiz on sustainable development . The quiz served as a recap of the topics covered throughout the SCSH 1201 course, testing our understanding of sustainable development concepts and encouraging reflection on how theory is applied in practice, especially in relation to our ongoing SDG group project . For our group project, we are focusing on promoting a healthy diet among youth, involving participation from our group members’ roommates. We first consulted a dietitian from IIUM Kuantan to understand the principles of a healthy diet. Then, we implemented a one-week healthy diet practice with the participants and gathered their feedback for evaluation. This hands-on experience helped us connect classroom knowledge with real-life application. Overall, this course has shown me that sustainable development has meaningful implications for our surroundings when its concepts are applied in everyday life. As a student, it strengthened my ...
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WEEK 9: IIUM AS SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS - STUDENTS AS AGENT OF CHANGE

In Week 9, I learned to view sustainability not just as a theoretical concept but as a living practice that can be observed in our surroundings. This lecture encouraged us, as students and agents of change, to critically reflect on how sustainable IIUM is and how our ideas and actions can further support these efforts. It made me more aware that sustainability begins with observation, awareness and responsibility within our own environment. I was reminded that IIUM has taken meaningful steps in supporting sustainability and social well-being, such as initiatives for food security, mental health awareness and compassion towards animals on campus. However, this topic also made me reflect on how many people still take resources for granted. Issues such as excessive electricity use, increasing waste and pollution are often the result of careless human behaviour, which contributes to environmental problems that we experience today. This showed me that sustainability efforts are only effect...
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WEEK 8: ROLES OF INSTITUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELPOMENT

In Week 8, I learned about SDG 16 and SDG 17 , which emphasize peace, justice, strong institutions, and partnerships for sustainable development. SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals , highlights the need for collaboration across sectors and countries to achieve all the SDGs by 2030. It encourages nations to align policies, promote fair trade and coordinate investments using the SDGs as a shared framework and vision. This topic also showed that while the SDGs are global in scope, real progress often begins at the local level . Institutions such as universities, NGOs and community organizations play an important role in translating global goals into practical actions that benefit society. Strong partnerships help strengthen these efforts by improving cooperation, resource sharing and collective impact. Overall, this week reminded me that sustainable development is a shared responsibility . Achieving the SDGs requires cooperation not only between governments and institutions but also the...
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WEEK 7: CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

In Week 7, the discussion on global issues and sustainable development helped me realize how unequal living conditions are across the world. While many of us in Malaysia still have access to basic necessities, millions of people globally continue to face extreme poverty, lack of clean water, food insecurity, and limited access to electricity. Learning about these realities made me reflect on how easily we take our daily comforts for granted. This week’s discussion also highlighted that sustainable development depends on the balance between social equity, economic stability, and environmental responsibility. Many global challenges such as poverty and inequality exist because these pillars are not equally addressed. The discussion encouraged me to think critically about fairness in resource distribution and the ethical responsibilities of societies and nations. From an Islamic perspective, values such as justice, stewardship ( khalifah ), moderation ( mīzān ), and zakat provide guid...
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WEEK 6: ROLES OF UNIVERSITIES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

This week, I learned about the role of higher education institutions in promoting sustainability . Universities are not only centers for academic learning but also spaces to develop moral, ethical, and spiritual values. They have a responsibility to prepare students to become responsible khalifah , who manage resources wisely and uphold justice in both environmental and social aspects. During the lecture, we discussed how students and universities can contribute to the sustainable development agenda . As students, we can take small but meaningful actions, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and being mindful of our daily consumption. Universities can support this by organizing sustainability-focused programs, campaigns, and activities to raise awareness and guide the community towards more responsible practices. This session reminded me that universities play a vital role in shaping graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also committed to the well-being of society and th...
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WEEK 5: SEJAHTERA AS LOCAL CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

In Week 5, I learned about the concept of  Sejahtera (well-being) , which refers to a peaceful, safe, and prosperous state of life, free from disturbances. It emphasizes living in prosperity, health, and harmony, guided by principles such as Tawhidic balance (Tawazun), compassion (Ihsan & Rahmah), trust (Amanah & Keyakinan), prosperity (Kesejahteraan), sustainability (Kemampanan), innovation (Daya Cipta), and respect (Hormat) . These principles encourage a balanced life, ethical leadership, shared well-being, and environmental stewardship. I also learned about localising the sustainability agenda , which means implementing sustainable initiatives at a regional or community level. This involves engaging local stakeholders, promoting green technologies, supporting small businesses, and protecting natural resources. Reflecting on this, I realized that well-being and sustainability are interconnected: by applying these principles in our communities, we can contribute to a more ...
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WEEK 4: INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

This week, I learned about key conventions, declarations, agreements, and frameworks for sustainable development . The history of global sustainability efforts began with the UN Conference on Human Development in 1972 and has continued through major events such as the Rio de Janeiro Conference (1992) , the Kyoto Protocol (1997) , the Johannesburg Summit (2002) , and the Bali Conference , culminating in the 2016 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . These initiatives show how countries have progressively collaborated to address environmental, social, and economic challenges worldwide. I also learned the concept of “Sejahtera” , which refers to a state of well-being that is peaceful, safe, prosperous, and free from disturbances. A Sejahtera society is one in which people live in health, prosperity, and peace, protected from hardships and disasters. This idea emphasizes the importance of creating environments that support human welfare holistically. This session made me reflect on ho...
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