SCSH REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

For Week 9, we explored the topic "IIUM as a Sustainable Campus - Students as Agents of Change" on 10th December 2024. Although there was no face-to-face class, this week’s fieldwork gave us the chance to reflect on our role in making our campus more sustainable. Our group, Zerowaste Visionaries, chose the KAED (Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design) as our location for observation. KAED is full of creative ideas and innovative spaces that connect perfectly to the sustainability efforts happening on campus. We took some meaningful photos of our group and observed three key elements that highlight sustainability: recycling efforts, transforming an old bus into a café, and using Beam e-scooters for transportation. Here are the three lessons conclusion from my opinion or my view of thinking: 1. Recycling is the Foundation of Sustainability At KAED, we noticed how recycling bins are placed strategically around the area to encourage students to manage their waste prop...

Let’s be real: saving the world isn’t something one person can do alone. To tackle big issues like poverty, climate change, and inequality, everyone needs to play their part including global organizations, local communities, and even individuals like us. Let’s break it down! Global and National Institutions: The Big Players Think of global and national institutions as the leaders or planners. They’re the ones who come up with the big goals and plans for sustainable development. What they do: Global level : The United Nations (UN) created the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), like SDG 16 (peace and justice) and SDG 17 (partnerships). These are like a guidebook for countries to work together on issues that affect everyone. Example: The Paris Agreement helps countries team up to fight climate change. National level: Governments put these global plans into action. They make laws, set up programs, and invest money to solve problems. Example: Malaysia’s policies on renewable energy ...

Ever wonder why achieving sustainable development feels like solving a giant puzzle with missing pieces? It’s because we face challenges in every direction such as social, economic, and environmental. Let’s break it down into bite-sized chunks and talk about it casually, like we’re chatting over lunch. Social Challenges: It’s About People Picture this: You wake up, go to school, grab some lunch, and have access to books and the internet. Sounds normal, right? But for many people worldwide, even basic education, health services, and clean water are out of reach. These inequalities make it hard for everyone to move forward together. Examples: Education : Some kids don’t go to school because their families can’t afford fees, or there’s no school nearby. Without education, how can they grow, get better jobs, and improve their lives? Healthcare : Ever heard of people dying from severe diseases? In remote areas, there are no doctors or medicine, and basic healthcare becomes a luxury. Clean...

  In Week 6, we explored the topic "The Roles of Universities and Sustainable Development" (12 November 2024, 10 am–12 pm). Even though there was no physical class (Yayy! shhhhhh), our learning experience was just as impactful. After watching the lecture on YouTube, our group, Zerowaste Visionaries, went out to explore a location on IIUM Gombak campus that reflects sustainability. We decided to head to the Human Sciences Café (HS Café) a popular hangout spot for students. It might just look like a regular café, but if you pay attention, there’s a lot about sustainability happening there. We took some creative group photos at the café and reflected on what it taught us about sustainable development.  Final Thoughts This week’s activity really opened our eyes to how sustainability can be part of our daily lives on campus. The HS Café might seem like just a place to grab food, but it’s also a space that shows how universities can promote sustainable practices in small but me...

 Exploring the Sejahtera Concept for Sustainable Development at Dar al-Hikmah Library On Tuesday, 5 November 2024, my group, Zerowaste Visionaries, spent the morning at the Dar al-Hikmah Library in IIUM. From 10 am to 12 pm, we dived into books, references, and exhibition materials to learn about the Sejahtera Concept and how it connects to sustainable development. We even took some fun group photos with books related to the topic (you’ve got to love a good library photo op!). It was a productive and inspiring session, and we walked away with some key takeaways.  Personal View 1. It’s All About Balance The Sejahtera Concept is big on finding balance—not just in life, but in how we approach sustainability. It teaches us that true well-being comes from harmony between our spiritual, economic, and environmental needs. In short, it’s not just about chasing money or material success. It’s also about respecting the environment, taking care of our physical and emotional health, and s...

Class Overview This week’s lecture focused on the global and local frameworks driving sustainable development. We explored key international milestones and how they shape policies and practices worldwide. This is a summary of key international milestones in environmental and sustainable development initiatives. Each event listed represents significant steps taken by the global community to address environmental issues and promote sustainable practices and I simplify this in a way from my understanding. Stockholm Conference (1972) : The first international event addressing environmental concerns, leading to the creation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Brundtland Report (1987) : Introduced sustainable development in "Our Common Future," emphasizing the need for intergenerational equity. Rio Earth Summit (1992) : Produced the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, and conventions on climate change (UNFCCC) and biodiversity, pushing nations toward action. Kyoto Protocol (1997) : Set...