17.2 – Relationships to support the goals

17.2.4 – Collaboration for SDG best practice

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing sustainable development through international and cross-sectoral collaborations that promote SDG best practices. In 2024, UKM strengthened its global engagement through multiple impactful initiatives, including the From Hut to Palace Exhibition with the British Council, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) leadership roles, membership in the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN), research collaboration with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the collaboration of the HEALTHCOMM UKM x UNICEF C4D Centre and World Health Organization (WHO). Each collaboration integrates research, innovation, education, and policy development to address critical global challenges such as climate action, health equity, and sustainability. These efforts not only reinforce UKM’s leadership as a research-intensive university but also highlight its role as a catalyst for knowledge exchange and partnership in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Summary of the collaborations

No	List of the collaboration	SDG
1	Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)	SDG 17, SDG 13
2	International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN)	SDG 17, SDG 14, SDG 11
3	Research Collaboration With Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)	SDG 17, SDG 8, SDG 9
4	HEALTHCOMM UKM X UNICEF C4D CENTRE	SDG 17, SDG 3, SDG 10
5	From Hut to Palace Exhibition	SDG 17, SDG 4, SDG 16

1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

UKM’s experts play key roles in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), directly influencing the formulation of globally standardized methodologies for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions in line with SDG 13: Climate Action. IPCC  is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. From 2023 until now, Prof. Dr. Joy Jacqueline Pereira served as the Co-Chair of Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), marking a historic milestone as the first female Asian to hold this position. With over a decade of dedicated involvement in the IPCC, she has contributed to numerous working groups and reports, including as Vice-Chair of Working Group II for the Sixth Assessment Report on impacts, adaptation, and vulnerabilities. Her leadership in Working Group III brings a comprehensive focus on mitigation and adaptation strategies, significantly influencing global climate assessments and policy. Her prior roles as Coordinating Lead Author and Lead Author further highlight her commitment to advancing climate change discourse on the international stage.

Dr. Pereira, a Professor and Principal Research Fellow at SEADPRI-UKM (Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative, UKM), focuses on disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and sustainable mineral resource management. She led the development of Malaysia’s National Policy on Climate Change and National Disaster Risk Reduction Action Plan.

Prof. Mohd Talib Latif, Faculty Professor at UKM, serves as a Task Force Bureau (TFB) Member of the IPCC Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (TFI). He contributes to the development and continuous refinement of internationally agreed methodologies for calculating national anthropogenic GHG emissions and removals, which serve as benchmarks for UN member states in assessing and reporting their climate performance.Ms. Siti Khadijah Satari, Research Officer at UKM, acts as a Project Administrator in the IPCC Working Group III Technical Support Unit (TSU), where she ensures the coordination, scientific quality, and transparency of global climate-mitigation datasets and analyses used in IPCC Assessment Reports.

2. International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN)

Since 2023 until now, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) became a member of the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN), joining 14 other Asian universities in this global initiative. Notably, UKM is the sole Malaysian institution in the ISCN, underscoring its dedication to sustainability on an international scale. 

Established in 2007 as a non-profit association, the ISCN serves as a platform for higher education institutions to exchange information, ideas, and best practices aimed at achieving sustainable campus operations and integrating sustainability into research and teaching. The ISCN Charter, updated in 2018, aligns with global milestones such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Accord, providing a framework to mobilize international, cross-sector action for a more sustainable future. 

By joining the ISCN, UKM has committed to active participation in international discussions and policy development related to sustainability. This involvement enables UKM to collaborate with global partners, share its sustainability initiatives and adopt innovative practices from other institutions. Such engagement not only enhances UKM’s sustainability efforts but also contributes to the broader global movement towards sustainable development.

3. Research Collaboration With Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

UKM has made a research collaboration with Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on APEC Climate Economics Cross-Border Educational Course (CECC). This project is led by Associate Professor Dr Nurfaradilla Mohamad Nasri from the Faculty of Education, UKM . The objective of this project is to improve the capacity for APEC economies to implement inclusive, sustainable and quality climate economics cross-border education, in order to strengthen education cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region under the principles established by the APEC Education Action Plan/ Education Strategy 2016-2030, to support regional cooperation on addressing climate change under the principles of the Aotearoa Plan of Action 2021, and to improve socioeconomic resilience under the Putrajaya Vision 2040.

4. HEALTHCOMM UKM X  UNICEF C4D CENTRE

HEALTHCOMM UKM x UNICEF C4D CENTRE is an initiative that is proudly presented by Faculty of Social Science & Humanities, UKM and The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as a collaborative effort to advocate and empower our health ecosystem while supporting communities through applying awareness and inclusiveness in our pursuit. UKM committed to establishing HEALTHCOMM as a leader in health communication research, with a particular focus on policy and behavioral change. Our top priority is to develop an effective framework to advocate for and address health issues affecting women and children. By working closely with stakeholders and policymakers, we aim to produce high-quality research that benefits our communities. In 2024, HEALTHCOMM UKM collaborated with the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in developing The National Health Literacy Policy (DLKK). DLKK is an initiative aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of Malaysians in healthcare. DLKK was launched on 8 September 2024 by the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This collaboration represents a best practice in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)—through the integration of academic expertise, international partnerships, and policy-driven impact.

5. From Hut to Palace Exhibition

In 2024, UKM through the Institute of the Malay World and Civilization (ATMA), established a collaboration with the British Council through an international exhibition known as The From Hut to Palace Exhibition. The From Hut to Palace Exhibition was held on 16 May 2024 at Istana Puteri Bongsu UKM, Digital Heritage Hub, Malaysia and then on 26 to 29 June 2024 at St Andrews Botanic Garden, Scotland, as part of an international collaboration highlighting sustainable cultural heritage practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This outdoor exhibition was jointly organized with the British Council, Scotland’s Rural College University (UK), the Ecosystems Knowledge Network (EKN), and the St Andrews Botanic Garden, with the participation of over 300 attendees. The exhibition used Augmented Reality (AR) technology to showcase the architectural and cultural distinctiveness of the Istana Puteri Bongsu from Malaysia and the Scottish bothy, illustrating how traditional knowledge and modern innovation can work together to address climate change and environmental adaptation. 

This international collaboration successfully merged education, culture, and technology to foster a deeper appreciation of heritage preservation and sustainability. The program had a strong impact on both learning and community engagement—encouraging participants to explore the intersection between cultural heritage and climate resilience. By providing an interactive AR experience, it enhanced participants’ understanding of local wisdom, environmental awareness, and the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge into modern sustainability practices. The initiative exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals) in action, showcasing UKM’s active role in global knowledge exchange and its contribution to promoting international best practices in cultural conservation and environmental education.

Through these international collaborations, UKM has positioned itself as a driving force in fostering global cooperation for sustainable progress. Its partnerships with esteemed organizations such as the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), British Council, APEC, and ISCN exemplify UKM’s ability to bridge academia, policy, and practice on an international scale. These engagements have resulted in impactful outcomes—from advancing climate change adaptation and public health literacy to promoting cross-border education and sustainable campus operations. Collectively, they embody the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by promoting inclusive, innovative and data-driven solutions to global challenges. UKM’s active participation in these best practice collaborations not only enhances Malaysia’s contribution to the global SDG agenda but also solidifies UKM’s reputation as a regional leader in sustainability and international academic diplomacy.