SCSH REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

Hey everyone! This will be my last post in this blog👋 This week, we didn’t have a face-to-face class because we had an online quiz instead. It felt different, but it gave me a chance to dive deeper into the week’s slides and reflect on the key points. So, here’s my quick summary and conclusion from the materials we covered: Here’s what stood out: 1️⃣ Alternative Measures of Economic and Social Well-Being Traditional metrics like GDP don’t tell the whole story, right? This section explored measures that capture quality of life, happiness, and equity offering a fuller picture of societal progress. 2️⃣ Malaysian Syariah Index This was fascinating! The index evaluates how well Malaysia’s development aligns with Islamic principles. It’s a great example of how cultural and religious values can shape sustainable practices. 3️⃣ Sustainability Indicators We looked at four types of indicators: Context Indicators : These set the stage by showing baseline conditions. Input Indicators : Focused on...

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...

This week, there was no face-to-face lecture, but we had the opportunity to engage in a meaningful activity by visiting the IIUM Gallery, located on the ground floor of the Rectory or MAF Building. Upon arriving at the gallery with my group, we were immediately captivated by the rich displays showcasing the essence of Maqasid Shariah and its connection to sustainable development. As we explored, we took some interesting photos and a group picture to capture the experience.  From my observation and my opinion by visiting the IIUM Gallery is it is balance in protecting religion, intellect and lineage.The gallery also showcased how Maqasid Shariah balances spiritual, intellectual, and family values. For example, education is emphasized not just as a right but as a duty, supporting intellectual growth and moral guidance. Visiting the IIUM Gallery was an insightful experience, linking the timeless wisdom of Maqasid Shariah with modern sustainable practices. I highly recommend this activ...

Class Overview From what I can simplify from the class and also the slide that has been given to get better understanding in this week Sustainable development in Islam is a comprehensive concept that balances human welfare, environmental care, and economic justice. This week’s lecture by Prof. Dr. Suhaimi bin Mhd. Sarif highlighted how Islamic teachings provide timeless guidance for achieving sustainability. Islam and Sustainable Development Sustainable development, as understood in Islam, integrates spiritual, social, economic, and environmental dimensions to achieve a balanced and equitable existence. This week’s lecture, presented by Prof. Dr. Suhaimi bin Mhd. Sarif, highlighted the profound alignment between Islamic teachings and the principles of sustainable development. Environmental Sustainability The Quran commands humans to avoid corruption and waste, underscoring accountability in resource usage: Efficient Resource Use : “Eat and drink, but waste not by excess; He loves not t...

Assalamualaikum Wbt. My name is Annur Yasmin Binti Basuni. I'm from department of Quantity Surveying (KAED). Walking into the classroom of SCSH 1201 for the first time, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The lecturer introduced the course syllabus and explained how this class connects to real-world applications. This made me feel motivated to learn because I could already see its relevance. I hope to improve my understanding of this subject this semester and gain skills that will help me academically and personally. Class Overview On the first day of class, we began by introducing ourselves, sharing our names, place of birth, the cost of subjects taken at the university, and highlighting one thing about ourselves that people don't know. Additionally, we each shared a word related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The professor then provided an overview of the course framework, including assignments and key expectations. We also discussed the IIUM building infrast...