4.3 – Lifelong learning measures

4.3.2 – Public Events (Lifelong Learning)

Hosting educational events at universities that are open to the general public plays a vital role in advancing SDG 4: Quality Education, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for all. By making knowledge accessible beyond the academic community, universities become platforms for lifelong learning, fostering intellectual growth and empowering individuals from all walks of life. These events create opportunities for sharing expertise, stimulating critical discussions, and promoting civic engagement, ultimately contributing to the creation of a more informed, educated, and socially responsible society. In 2024, UKM organized various programs and events, both on an ad-hoc basis and on a programmed basis.

Summary of the public events

No	List of the public events
1	Ad-Hoc Basis i. From Hut to Palace Exhibition ii. UKM Bicara Persada – Targeted Subsidies: Hopes and Reality iii. Seminar of Emerging Trend in Mosquito Borne Diseases: Current Situations in Malaysia iv. “We Can Hear You” Program
2	On Programmed Basis i. Palm’s Oil Day Program ii. Industry Talk with Sabella: Between Fashion and Halal Economy iii. Seminar Of Empowering TVET For Future Development

1. AD-HOC BASIS

i. From Hut to Palace Exhibition

The From Hut to Palace Exhibition was held on 16th May 2024 at Hab Warisan Digital, Istana Puteri Bongsu, from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. This innovative project utilised Augmented Reality (AR) technology to highlight and preserve local wisdom through interactive displays. The exhibition showcased the historical and environmental significance of cultural heritage sites, with case studies that demonstrated how traditional knowledge can be integrated with modern technological solutions to address climate change issues.

Through AR devices, participants experienced lifelike explorations of heritage structures, traditional construction techniques, and visualisations of potential climate change impacts. This dynamic and interactive format made sustainability and resilience concepts more accessible, especially for younger audiences. The exhibition drew the participation of 300 visitors, including local communities, school groups, and international guests, creating a platform for cultural appreciation and shared learning.

The impact of the exhibition was significant as it preserved and disseminated local wisdom, fostered deeper appreciation for cultural heritage, and encouraged proactive environmental awareness. By bridging education, culture, and technology, the programme successfully demonstrated the transformative role of AR in heritage preservation and climate education.

ii. UKM Bicara Persada – Targeted Subsidies: Hopes and Reality

The Faculty of Economics and Management organised Bicara Persada UKM – Targeted Subsidies: Hopes and Reality on 12th November 2024 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi. This public dialogue brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the design, challenges, and impact of targeted subsidy systems in Malaysia. The session, held in collaboration with MINDA-UKM, explored the hopes and expectations of subsidy programmes in addressing inequality and supporting vulnerable communities while also examining real-world implementation challenges such as administrative efficiency, targeting accuracy, and fiscal sustainability.

A total of 100 participants attended the dialogue, which provided valuable insights into the balance between social equity and economic efficiency. The event strengthened collaboration between academia, government, and community, contributing to policy recommendations aimed at improving transparency, strengthening subsidy frameworks, and ensuring benefits reach those most in need. The discussion also fostered public awareness and trust by openly addressing the realities of subsidy systems, while inspiring future research and innovation to advance Malaysia’s social welfare and economic development agenda.

iii. Seminar of Emerging Trend in Mosquito Borne Diseases: Current Situations in Malaysia

The Seminar on Emerging Trends in Mosquito-Borne Diseases: Current Situations in Malaysia was held on 19 June 2024 at the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM Kuala Lumpur. This free public seminar, organized in collaboration with the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM), aimed to enhance awareness and understanding of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. The program featured expert-led sessions on disease statistics, prevention strategies, vector surveillance technology, and the effects of climate change on disease transmission. It attracted around 130 on-site participants, consisting of students and the public and 124 online attendees, including local and international participants from the United States, China, Pakistan and Indonesia. The event had a significant impact by strengthening public health literacy, connecting researchers and the community for knowledge exchange, and inspiring collaborative efforts to improve disease prevention strategies. Overall, this initiative played an essential role in advancing health education and community empowerment, aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting informed public action toward national health and well-being.

iv. “We Can Hear You” Program

The “We Can Hear You” Program was held on 11 May 2024 at the Audiology and Speech Science Clinic, Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM. This free program, sponsored by the Hong Leong Foundation, was organized by UKM in collaboration with the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD). The initiative aimed to promote awareness of hearing health and support individuals with hearing impairments through various activities, including educational talks, free hearing screenings, basic sign language workshops, and sharing sessions by members of the deaf community. The program involved 60 participants from UKM and several local universities such as UPSI, UiTM, UPNM, UTAR and UTM, along with youth representatives from MFD. This initiative made a meaningful impact by educating the public about the importance of early hearing care, reducing stigma toward the deaf community, and enhancing access to healthcare and social inclusion for individuals with hearing loss. It also provided students and volunteers with hands-on experience in inclusive health communication and community engagement, reflecting UKM’s strong commitment to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and inclusive community well-being.

2. ON-PROGRAMMED BASIS

i. Palm Oil’s Day Program 2024

The Palm Oil’s Day Program was held on 16 May 2024 at the Atrium, Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). This free event, organized in collaboration with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), aimed to raise awareness and understanding among students and the public about the importance of Malaysia’s palm oil industry and its role in sustainable development. The program featured engaging activities such as the MPOB-UKM TikTok Challenge “Love MY Palm Oil,” interactive Kahoot quizzes, the Dam Sawit Junior board game, and a cake decoration competition. It also welcomed international delegates from the Young Elaeis Ambassador Programme representing Honduras, Indonesia, India, Ghana, and Pakistan, along with UKM students and school participants from Pusat GENIUS Pintar UKM and local schools and community in Bandar Baru Bangi. This initiative successfully encouraged youth engagement with the palm oil industry, fostered innovative thinking toward environmental sustainability, and strengthened global awareness of sustainable agricultural practices, contributing meaningfully to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and community empowerment through interactive learning.

ii. Industry Talk Program with Sabella: Between Fashion and Halal Economy

The Faculty of Economics and Management organised an Industry Talk with Sabella, a Muslim fashion brand that includes hijabs, on 16th January 2024 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi. This insightful session explored the intersection between the fashion industry and the halal economy, with Sabella Holding Sdn Bhd sharing its journey in producing stylish yet halal-compliant fashion products. The objective of this programme was to provide participants with a deeper understanding of halal principles in fashion, covering not only compliance but also ethical and sustainable practices. A total of 100 participants joined the event, which highlighted consumer trends, challenges, and opportunities within the halal fashion market. The programme had a meaningful impact by raising awareness on the economic potential of halal-certified fashion, promoting responsible practices, and empowering entrepreneurs to innovate within the growing halal economy.

iii. Seminar of Empowering TVET For Future Development

The Seminar on Empowering TVET for Future Development 4.0 was held on 22 February 2024 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) by the Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment. This free seminar was aimed to strengthen the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in supporting Malaysia’s economic and workforce development. The program encouraged collaboration among TVET institutions, industry partners, and policymakers, exploring strategies to integrate digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation into TVET curricula. It also addressed challenges in recruitment, funding, and policy reform to enhance the sustainability of TVET initiatives. The event had a strong impact on the public and education stakeholders by promoting data-driven decision-making, expanding awareness of national policies such as UPTVET and job-matching programs, and inspiring innovative approaches to upskilling and workforce readiness. Overall, this seminar played a vital role in advancing quality education and aligning Malaysia’s workforce development with the demands of Industry 4.0, contributing directly to SDG 4 (Quality Education).

The public educational events organized by UKM in 2024 demonstrated tangible impacts on individuals and communities by promoting knowledge accessibility, social inclusivity and civic awareness. Each program, whether addressing issues of health literacy, cultural heritage, sustainable industries or technological advancement, created meaningful opportunities for public participation and community empowerment. These initiatives not only enhanced lifelong learning and public engagement but also bridged the gap between academia and society. Collectively, they strengthened UKM’s position as a national leader in community education, nurturing informed, responsible and empowered citizens capable of contributing to Malaysia’s sustainable and inclusive development.