By Iylia Marsya Iskandar
GOMBAK, 9 May 2020: IIUM has been declared the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development by the United Nations University (UNU), according to a statement issued by the university (IIUM) yesterday (8 May).
The recognition is made by UNU on the university’s commitment in building a sustainable future through education, one of the agenda set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
IIUM joins 180 of the world’s regional expertise centres which will focus on various social and educational activities.
The statement from IIUM stated that the regional expertise centre named RCE Greater Gombak is the first of its kind in terms of education for sustainable development that is functionality based rather than geographically based unlike others.
“Under the RCE Greater Gombak, IIUM will lead the way in the development of sustainable educational activities and initiatives along with the community, industry and government sectors through three categories which are community transformation, spirituality and sustainability and well-being,” IIUM further clarified.
The Rector of IIUM, Profesor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, in his statement yesterday said that the recognition given to IIUM means that IIUM has a global responsibility in providing education for community building.
He further added, “This is a plan under the United Nations whereby education is of importance in shaping the future that we will soon build not only for the university but also for the surrounding community.”
Among the initiatives undertaken by IIUM since 18 months ago are ‘asnaf’ education in Perlis, sustainable tourism in Pagoh, Johor, sustainable health in Kuantan, Pahang and a prosperous school in Terengganu.
It is understood that RCE Greater Gombak received the award in an online networking platform in collaboration with other centres of expertise worldwide.
The session was witnessed by representatives from the Education and Sustainable Development body of the UNESCO office in Paris and UNU.***
Source: Bernama and Astro Awani