17.2.2 : Cross sectoral dialogue about SDGs
UTM International Hosts RVC Delegation for Groundbreaking Collaboration
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)'s hosting of the Russian Venture Company (RVC) delegation exemplifies a high-level initiation of cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs, directly contributing to the advancement of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The delegation, which included representatives from Russia's Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Kazan Federal University (KFU), and Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU), alongside the state-owned venture capital fund RVC, constituted a powerful cross-sectoral engagement involving academia, government, and the high-tech investment industry.
The discussions were centered on Global Startup Ecosystem Integration, Technology Co-Development in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Renewable Energy, and Educational Partnerships. By focusing on renewable energy and high-impact technology, this dialogue immediately addresses the innovation and infrastructure targets of the SDGs. It moves beyond academic exchange to foster actionable, investment-backed collaborations.
Specifically, the exploration of joint research in renewable energy directly contributes to the global discourse on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), while the focus on technology commercialization and startup development through RVC's co-investment model (part of the Russian Direct Investment Fund – RDIF) creates an international platform for nurturing high-tech talent and transforming academic discoveries into global, sustainable solutions. This initiative serves as compelling evidence of UTM actively initiating and participating in an international, multi-stakeholder forum to define and align future research and investment in alignment with the SDGs.
Source:
https://news.utm.my/2024/10/utm-international-hosts-rvc-delegation-for-groundbreaking-collaboration/
UTM Global Connect 2024 unites 25 nations for transformative international partnerships
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)'s successful hosting of the UTM Global Connect 2024 serves as a robust demonstration of initiating and participating in extensive cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs, specifically advancing SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
This two-day event, uniting delegates from 25 nations and featuring the World Technology Universities Congress (WTUC), was explicitly framed around advancing the SDGs and national sustainability initiatives, including the Malaysia MADANI Framework and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). The conference’s theme, “Alliances for Diplomacy: Harnessing University Collaborations for Planetary Health,” mandated a discussion of global challenges like climate change, making the entire platform a dedicated forum for SDG dialogue.
By integrating five major programs, including the Industrial Art & Technology Exhibition (INATEX 2024) with its business matching sessions, UTM ensured the participation of not only 40 global universities (academia) but also industry partners and stakeholders interested in research commercialization. This cross-sectoral environment—where academic researchers, global education leaders, and industry investors converge—facilitates the crucial exchange of ideas and resources required to develop holistic and scalable solutions for planetary health.
The event’s structure deliberately promoted SDG-aligned outcomes, moving the discourse beyond theory and into practical innovation and technology transfer, thus reinforcing UTM's role as a global leader in shaping a sustainable future through collective, multi-stakeholder action.
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Global Women’s Breakfast Sparks Dialogue on Gender Diversity
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) actively initiates and participates in cross-sectoral dialogue about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically leveraging partnerships with international organizations and professional bodies to advance gender equality within the scientific community.
- Partnership for Dialogue: The organization of the Global Women’s Breakfast (GWB) 2024 by UTM’s Faculty of Science and Faculty of Chemical & Energy Engineering was a dedicated cross-sectoral collaboration. The event was a flagship initiative of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and was sponsored by the Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM), bringing together global scientific mandates with national professional expertise.
- SDG-Focused Thematic Alignment: The event was strategically timed to coincide with the United Nations Day of Women and Girls in Science and was held under the theme “Catalyzing Diversity in Science.” This thematic alignment demonstrates UTM’s focus on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), by concentrating on the imperative role of women in scientific advancement.
- Engaging Diverse Sectors: The dialogue involved participants from various professional and academic spheres, including faculty members and office staff, fostering a discussion on gender equality in the workplace within the UTM context. By involving different sectors of the professional environment, the event served as a platform for identifying challenges and discussing best practices for promoting women in science leadership roles, thus driving tangible strategies for SDG achievement.
UTM's formalized partnership with IUPAC and IKM to host this event confirms its structural commitment to hosting and participating in high-level, cross-sectoral discussions that generate real-world input for achieving gender-related SDGs.
Source :
https://news.utm.my/2024/03/global-womens-breakfast-sparks-dialogue-on-gender-diversity/
