Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is dedicated to promoting Education for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) beyond its campus, actively engaging with the wider community. The university emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and raising awareness through educational activities that involve alumni, local residents, displaced individuals, and refugees. By fostering collaboration and outreach, USM aims to empower diverse communities with the understanding and tools needed to address sustainability challenges effectively. 

USM actively engages its alumni in sustainability initiatives, offering them opportunities to stay connected with the university and contribute to educational and research efforts related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By fostering this involvement, USM strengthens its community and enhances collaboration, ensuring that alumni play a vital role in advancing sustainability and knowledge sharing within and beyond the institution. For more information, visit the USM Alumni website.   

Alumni Engagement

USM's alumni engagement in sustainability initiatives is exemplified through various impactful programs and achievements. The Al-Quran and Tajwid Classes for Adults (KPATD) offered by USM's Islamic Center, provide a platform for alumni, staff, students, and the wider community to deepen their understanding of Quranic teachings. This program not only enhances personal spiritual growth but also reflects USM’s commitment to social outreach and fostering community connections. Alumni like Taufik Rosman further demonstrate USM's influence, with his recognition as the first Malaysian to win the Wikimedian of the Year Award through the program Empowering Communities through Knowledge. His efforts to document Malaysia’s indigenous languages and promote free knowledge sharing through Wikipedia highlight the power of education in fostering sustainable development and inclusivity.  

USM’s focus on education for sustainable development is also highlighted in conferences like the 1st Conference on Business, Management, and Social Sciences (BMSS 2023), where alumni played a crucial role. At this event, USM's alumni representatives presented a paper on enhancing alumni engagement through digital platforms, winning the Best Paper award in the Education category. This reflects the university’s commitment to harnessing technology and fostering innovation to advance sustainable development. Through these initiatives, USM continues to empower its alumni and wider community to actively contribute to addressing pressing sustainability challenges and promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Local Residents or Local Community Involvement

USM organizes various educational activities aimed at engaging and benefiting the local community. These initiatives include sustainability workshops, awareness campaigns, and community development projects, all designed to empower local residents to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. By fostering community involvement, USM promotes a culture of sustainability and encourages collaboration between the university and local stakeholders.

USM's outreach efforts to engage the local community in 2023 are exemplified through initiatives that emphasize both STEM education and sustainable practices. The STEM@CEMACS program, which involved a co-academic visit by Permataku Kids Kindergarten to the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), provided a hands-on learning experience focused on marine biodiversity. This program aligned with the "Kampung Bank Street-STEM" initiative, introducing young learners to the importance of Science and Mathematics. By incorporating interactive exhibits and a boat trip, the initiative sparked early interest in STEM fields among children, laying the groundwork for future exploration and learning. Programs like these play a key role in engaging the local community and fostering a love for learning from an early age.

Similarly, the KEMBARA SAINS BORNEO program brought scientific knowledge directly to remote communities in Sabah, including Kota Marudu, Pitas, and Kudat. Led by Associate Professor Dr. Chan Siok Yee, this initiative focused on making science more accessible and relevant, particularly to youth, by educating them on the role of pharmacists. The local community was further involved in promoting eco-friendly entrepreneurship through the Workshop on ‘Amalan 3R & Keusahawanan Di Dalam Penyediaan Penyubur Tanaman Enzim Lestari’, which focused on sustainable practices like Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R). This workshop, held 26 October 2023 at the USM Engineering Campus, brought together students, educators, and the local community, highlighting the importance of sustainability and entrepreneurship in fostering eco-friendly business opportunities.

Support for Displaced People and Refugees

USM acknowledges the vital role of education, particularly for displaced people and refugees facing challenging circumstances. The university extends its outreach efforts to provide these individuals with educational opportunities and resources aimed at enhancing their well-being and future prospects. By focusing on education, USM seeks to empower displaced communities, helping them navigate their circumstances and build a better future.

In 2023, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) implemented several initiatives to support marginalized communities, particularly displaced individuals and refugees. The Embracing Health and Well-being: Women's Health Program with Rohingya Children aimed to empower over 40 Rohingya refugee children by providing crucial health education. This initiative, organized by the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS) and the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, focused on enhancing the children's well-being and preparing them for adolescence. It highlighted USM’s commitment to inclusivity and health equity, ensuring that support for displaced people and refugees remained a core priority. Similarly, the Programme Education with Refugees initiative at Madrasah Darul Arakah Wa Tahfiz Al-Quran, led by Dr. Mohd Sayuti Hassan, facilitated knowledge sharing between USM students and refugee students, covering Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promoting environmental stewardship through activities like tree planting.

USM also worked on various other community programs in 2023, including the ISDEV helps vulnerable groups initiative, which addressed urban poverty by partnering with local institutions to support asnaf communities. This program focused on improving socio-economic conditions and breaking the cycle of poverty through zakat and waqf resources. Additionally, the Learn Wise Techniques to Stimulate Speaking 'From the Speech Clinic to the Classroom' initiative, in collaboration with the OKU Transformation Center, provided speech therapy for children with speech delays, integrating occupational therapy techniques into classroom settings. The Oral Health Care Program for Indigenous Community also highlighted USM's outreach, offering dental care to indigenous populations in Perak, bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern healthcare services. These efforts reflect USM’s broader mission to promote sustainability and well-being among vulnerable communities.

At USM, Education for SDGs transcends traditional classroom boundaries, permeating every aspect of the institution. The university empowers students and the wider community with the knowledge, skills, and commitment needed to address pressing sustainability challenges. USM is dedicated to cultivating a generation capable of driving meaningful change and actively contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this holistic approach, USM fosters a culture of sustainability and social responsibility among its stakeholders.