Baseline Literacy Assessment
Sustainability Literacy and Knowledge Assessment at UKM
1. Introduction
This research assesses the sustainability literacy, attitudes and practices among the community members at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), including students, academic staff and administrative/support staff. The survey was conducted by Strategi-UKM in collaboration with the School of Liberal Studies (CITRA UKM). It serves as a foundational study to improve sustainability initiatives and literacy across the campus.
2. Participants
The UKM campus community, comprising students, academic staff and administrative/support staff across Bangi, Kuala Lumpur and Cheras campuses, participated in the survey. A total of 5,604 respondents took part, representing diverse roles, campuses, genders, age groups and education levels.
3. Research Instrument
The assessment used a structured questionnaire with four sections: 1) Demographics, 2) Sustainability Knowledge, 3) Sustainability Attitude and 4) Sustainability Practices. The questions were adapted from established literature and the results were analyzed for validity and reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha values indicating strong internal consistency.
4. Key Findings
- Sustainability Knowledge
- 61.4% of respondents had low sustainability knowledge, with gaps primarily in understanding environmental impacts, pollution and economic sustainability.
- Sustainability Attitudes
- 91.6% of respondents held positive sustainability attitudes, supporting principles such as equal rights, sustainable economies and environmental well-being.
- Sustainability Practices
- 56.1% of respondents engaged in moderate to high sustainability practices, including energy saving, recycling and eco-friendly behaviors.
5. Initiatives and Way Forward
To enhance sustainability knowledge and literacy among the UKM campus community, several strategic initiatives and way forward can be implemented;
- Sustainability Knowledge
- Implement a targeted sustainability literacy campaign across all UKM campuses, focusing on key areas such as environmental impact, pollution and economic sustainability. This initiative aims to bridge knowledge gaps and build a stronger foundation for informed decision-making among students and staff.
- Implement a targeted sustainability literacy campaign across all UKM campuses, focusing on key areas such as environmental impact, pollution and economic sustainability. This initiative aims to bridge knowledge gaps and build a stronger foundation for informed decision-making among students and staff.
- Sustainability Attitudes
- Cultivate a values-driven sustainability culture by embedding ethical principles and global citizenship themes into university events, academic discussions and campus dialogues. This approach encourages critical thinking and a deeper commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
- Cultivate a values-driven sustainability culture by embedding ethical principles and global citizenship themes into university events, academic discussions and campus dialogues. This approach encourages critical thinking and a deeper commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
- Sustainability Practices
- Drive behavioral change through hands-on, action-oriented initiatives such as zero-waste programs, energy-saving competitions and green campus challenges. These programs provide practical opportunities for the UKM community to actively participate in and lead sustainability efforts.
6. Conclusion
The assessment revealed that while there is a generally positive attitude toward sustainability within the UKM community, the overall level of sustainability knowledge is low. This suggests the need for targeted educational initiatives to improve understanding and align sustainable attitudes with actionable practices. The results of this survey provide critical data for future sustainability programs at UKM.