USM Policy and Lawmakers Outreach and Education

Universiti Sains Malaysia actively contributes to national and regional policy development through outreach, education, and capacity-building programmes targeting government bodies, policymakers, and public institutions.

On 20 January 2024, USM, through its Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks, a statutory body under the Sabah State Government. The MoU, signed by Prof. Dr. Azlan Amran, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Wira Mohd Shafiei, aims to strengthen capacity-building, education, and research in sustainability, conservation, and environmental governance. Key initiatives include joint training programmes, continuing education workshops, seminars, and policy-relevant research projects, enhancing knowledge exchange between academia and government agencies. This partnership demonstrates USM’s commitment to supporting policy literacy and evidence-based governance, aligning with Malaysia’s national sustainable development goals.

On 9 May 2024, the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) at USM organised a seminar titled “Local Democracy Denied?: A Personal Journey into Local Government in Malaysia.” The event featured Dr. Michael Lim Mah Hui, Chairman of the Third World Network, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Sulaiman Mahbob, Chairman of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), and Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ghouse Nasuruddin, Emeritus Professor of Performing Arts at USM.
With 74 participants including policymakers, students, and faculty, the seminar served as a capacity-building platform on local democracy, decentralisation, and public administration. Through this event, USM advanced its role in educating and engaging policymakers and the public on governance and institutional reform, reinforcing the University’s mission to contribute expert knowledge to the policy sphere.