Topic 3 : Sejahtera & Role of University in SDG

 

Sejahtera Concept

• Means peace, harmony and prosperity.
• Sejahtera is more associated with the practise of having a balanced well being or even co-existing with common shared values and prosperity. It is implied that the achievement of quality of life that is both sustainable as well as balanced is embodied in Sejahtera as a way of life. (By Dzulkifli Abdul Razak (2020): Essay on Sejahtera: Concept, Principle and Practise. IIUM Press.)

In early 2000, the idea of Sejahtera first emerged and had been started with the changes of mindset in embracing the concept of sustainable development and Sejahtera through education. The concept of Sejahtera in education has become important to guide us on developing a balance and holistic human or societies in our life.

Our Rector, Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak has introduced Sejahtera to South Korea and Sejahtera concept has been apart there with the opening of Sejahtera center and Sejahtera forest as part of United Nations University Institute of advance sustainability studies. 

There are the others indigenous terms that convey Sejahtera from their local cultural to direct them to a balance way of life for example ;

1.  Ikigai - Japanese word.
2. Ubuntu - African
3. Lagom - Swedish word.

IIUM has embarked on a journey to demonstrate a university model that addresses issues of sustainable development using the Sejahtera concept as its basis. 

Because of that, IIUM introduced and launched the Insan Sejahtera based on 4 elements; IIICE, FPK, MAS & SDG. 

Aim: For humanizing education and developing intellectuals, professionals and scholars of distinction by integrating quality of faith (iman), knowledge (‘ilm) and good character (akhlaq) to serve as agents of comprehensive and balanced progress for sustainable development of Malaysia, the Muslim Ummah and the

global population.

IIUM has taken the initiative to introduce Insan Sejahtera through Flagship Project which promotes the spirit of transdiscplinary and aims to bring our university closer to the community. 

University & Sustainable Development

University has a role or responsibility in promoting SD. 

University mostly involves on 4 Agenda : 

1. Research - Doing more research on SDGs.
2. Education - Incorporate course related to SDG - UNGS that had been release this year (2020).
3. Operation & Governance - Programs aligned to SDG - Green campus, Energy saving or No plastic bags.
4. External Leadership - Public engagement - Have a connection or cross-sectoral with the community outside the university.

In recent years, we have seen improvements or changes in our higher education frameworks that promoting and supporting sustainable development. 

Here I attached the link that provides us to more understand about Sejahtera :

https://www.facebook.com/dialektikatv