Curtin Malaysia strengthens sustainability education across campus

Miri, Sarawak – 8 October 2026 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) is strengthening its commitment to sustainability education by embedding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) across its academic and student experience through its Sustainability Education Working Group (SEWG).

Established in 2024 under the university’s Learning & Teaching Committee and led by Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Lau Shiew Wei, the SEWG is driving a university-wide approach to sustainability education, helping students develop the knowledge, skills and mindset needed to respond to complex environmental, social and economic challenges.

The initiative has already delivered measurable progress. Approximately 192 Curtin Malaysia subjects demonstrated alignment with one or more of the 17 UN SDGs during 2025–2026, following SDG mapping exercises conducted across three faculties and one school.

Dr. Lau said the initiative reflects the university’s commitment to making sustainability education a shared responsibility across disciplines rather than an isolated area of study.

“As Chair, I see this not as a silo effort but as a collective journey across faculties and schools, embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a necessity at Curtin Malaysia,” she said.

She added that the initiative is particularly timely as sustainability and ESD gain greater prominence in Malaysia’s higher education and professional accreditation landscape, including through the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) 2024 framework and professional accreditation bodies such as the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC).

“For me, it is about preparing our students to be part of the urgent mission of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, a milestone that is fast approaching and one we must embrace together with passion and purpose,” she said.

A key component of the SEWG’s work is the Balance of the Planet (BOTP) Curtin Malaysia SDG Modules, introduced in 2024 to students across all disciplines.

The modules provide students with an interactive and flexible way to explore the 17 SDGs, including their targets and indicators, through videos, reflection activities, real-world projects and case studies with a Curtin connection.

Between 2024 and 2025, 89 students completed the modules, with 12 approved to receive Curtin Extra recognition. A further 24 students are currently enrolled in the programme in 2026.

Students who fulfil the module and verification requirements receive Curtin Extra recognition, including a digital badge, eRecord and certificate issued under the authority of the Academic Registrar at Curtin University upon graduation. The recognition provides students with tangible evidence of their sustainability engagement that can be showcased to prospective employers and professional networks.

The SEWG is also taking sustainability education beyond the university campus through school and community engagement.

This year, the group incorporated SDG-related activities into three STEM outreach events, including STEM Trailblazers, where school students explored sustainability challenges through hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and encourage them to think about their role in creating a more sustainable future.

The group also participated in two Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) River Guardians community engagement events, using the activities to raise awareness of water health, environmental stewardship and the importance of protecting natural resources.

To further encourage sustainability awareness and participation across the Curtin community, the SEWG has launched a Sustainability Education Reporting campaign, running from July 2026 to January 2027.

The campaign showcases sustainability-related initiatives by students and staff, highlighting diverse activities including solar-powered car workshops, student-led sustainable fashion initiatives, wellness activities and international conference presentations on power and energy engineering.

These initiatives demonstrate how sustainability education can extend beyond formal curriculum content, enabling students and staff to translate sustainability principles into practical projects, community engagement, innovation and professional practice.

Looking ahead, the SEWG plans to introduce Curtin Malaysia Sustainability Education Guidelines to provide practical direction for integrating sustainability and planetary health into education across the university.

The group also aims to develop structured SDG outreach modules and further embed sustainability competencies such as systems thinking, anticipatory planning, collaboration and problem-solving to prepare graduates for an increasingly complex and sustainability-focused world.

Professor Tang Fu Ee, Dean of Learning and Teaching, said sustainability should influence not only what students learn, but also how learning and teaching are approached across the university.

“We are committed to embedding sustainable development across our curricula and learning and teaching activities, while continually contributing towards creating lasting environmental, social, and economic value for Sarawak and beyond,” he said.

Through the SEWG, Curtin Malaysia is building a culture in which sustainability education extends across disciplines, classrooms and communities, equipping students to turn knowledge into action and contribute meaningfully to a more resilient and sustainable future.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Lau Shiew Wei (seated second right) with some of the members of the SEWG.

SMK Lutong students learn how they can become climate heroes.

Students take part in SDG activities at STEM Trailblazers.