17.2.1 : Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy
Majlis Pertukaran Dokumen Perjanjian MoU UTM dan Yayasan Penyayang Iskandar Puteri: Pemangkin Pembangunan Komuniti di Iskandar Puteri
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has established a significant and formalized mechanism for direct involvement in and input into regional non-government organizations and government-linked SDG policy development through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Yayasan Penyayang Iskandar Puteri (YIP). This strategic partnership, which includes stakeholders from the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP), is explicitly designed to accelerate "sustainable and inclusive community development" in the region, directly addressing goals within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.
The collaboration leverages UTM’s core strength in providing "necessary academic and research support" and "academic and research expertise," which is combined with YIP's ability to mobilize the local community. This crucial synergy allows for the rigorous, evidence-based development and monitoring of community programs. Specifically, the partnership is focused on high-impact social development interventions, including providing enhanced support for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community and creating skill-building opportunities for youth through MBPK and TVET programs.
By merging academic expertise with on-the-ground operational capability, UTM is engaging in a process of identifying challenges, developing strategies, and enabling adaptive management for social welfare and educational policies in the region. The ultimate objective of this formal collaboration is to transform Iskandar Puteri into a "model inclusive and competitive city in Malaysia," demonstrating UTM's long-term, structural commitment to regional SDG policy and realization.
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Forging Alliance: Humanities and Social Sciences Global Summit
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)'s hosting of the first global Humanities and Social Sciences Global Summit demonstrates its direct involvement in and input into national government or regional non-government organisation (NGO) SDG policy development, fulfilling a key requirement of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Championed by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), the summit convened leaders from prominent international institutions to collaborate on advancing innovation, inclusivity, and impact for sustainable futures. Critically, the summit outlined five pillars for advancing sustainability in higher education, including prioritizing social impact by addressing global challenges and encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to develop solutions for complex, global issues.
While the immediate partners were international universities (like Unismuh Makassar and Taraba State University), the core agenda of the summit—leveraging academic collaboration to address global challenges and measure impact—is fundamentally aligned with providing the evidence-based input required for government and regional NGO policy development. UTM is positioning itself as a hub for developing strategies and methodologies, such as those related to Green, Islamic, and Futuristic transformation, which directly contribute to the intellectual capital that informs national government policy on the social and human elements of the SDGs.
By forming the Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences Alliance for long-term knowledge sharing, UTM has established a permanent structure capable of monitoring, reporting, and enabling adaptive management strategies crucial for regional SDG policy success.
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https://news.utm.my/2024/09/forging-alliance-humanities-and-social-sciences-global-summit/
MOU Signing Ceremony between Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu) & Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)'s Faculty of Management and the Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu) establishes a critical framework for direct involvement in, and input into, regional government SDG policy development, specifically addressing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The collaboration, which strengthens Government-to-Government engagement, goes beyond general consultation by committing UTM to deliver tangible community projects and strategic support. The initiative to create an Autism-Friendly Playground in Kulai is a prime example of UTM’s research being translated into inclusive public infrastructure, directly providing a solution that enhances the quality of life for a vulnerable community and addresses SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) within the municipal plan.
Furthermore, the partnership involves UTM providing essential competency training for MPKu staff and strategically working to elevate MPKu's brand presence. This focused transfer of academic expertise directly influences the local authority's capacity to design, implement, and communicate effective SDG strategies. By engaging in these multi-faceted activities—from identifying community challenges (lack of inclusive public spaces) to developing strategic interventions (staff training and policy projects)—UTM is embedded in the regional government's process of SDG policy formation and adaptive management. The partnership ensures that municipal planning is informed by academic rigor, resulting in more effective and inclusive urban sustainability policies.
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UTM and Theta Edge Enhance Indigenous Education with STEM Programs
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)'s collaboration with its industry partner, Theta Edge Berhad, and the explicit involvement of the Pahang State Education Department, demonstrates direct involvement in, and input into, regional government SDG policy development, specifically in the critical area of Indigenous education and equality, fulfilling requirements for SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The initiative, the Programme to Elevate Indigenous Schools Through STEM Education at SK Lemoi, Cameron Highlands, is more than just a community project; it serves as a field-based research intervention designed to test and validate strategies for educational equity in remote areas. The implementation of high-impact programs—including Digital Literacy, STEM education (FLTL), and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)—provides the university with unique, empirical data on effective interventions.
Crucially, the program was inaugurated by the Assistant Director of the School Management Sector, Pahang State Education Department. This direct, high-level participation from a regional government body confirms that UTM is not just conducting outreach but is providing the Pahang State Education Department with monitored and reported data on:
- Identifying problems and challenges (educational gaps in remote Indigenous communities).
- Developing policies and strategies (the effectiveness of digital and STEM literacy programs in this context).
This co-designed, co-delivered model enables the government to use UTM’s academic and operational expertise to inform and adapt its regional education policies for the Orang Asli community, making UTM an essential partner in localizing and implementing key SDG targets.
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