WEEK 6: Roles of Universities and Sustainable Development

Assalamualaikum w.b.t. and good day!

On 15th April, our lecture focused on the Roles of Universities and Sustainable Development. Prof initiated an engaging discussion by posing several questions to the class. Here is the summary of the session: 

1.    Is there anything wrong with university's education system now?  

I was personally asked to share my thoughts on this, and I expressed that there are indeed issues within our current education system, particularly in the structure of the curriculum.

• In Malaysia, and more specifically, at IIUM, the curriculum is highly structured, sometimes rigid, and can feel unnecessarily burdensome.
• Compared to universities in countries like the United States, Germany, or Russia, Malaysian universities often lack the same flexibility. 
• Many foreign institutions offer more challenging syllabus and alternative learning structures, such as optional attendance, coursework-based assessment, and fewer exams which allow students to maintain a balanced lifestyle, engage in part-time work, and explore social opportunities.
• Interestingly, Malaysia’s top-performing students are often sent abroad for prestigious courses like medicine in India or engineering in Germany. This raises the question — why not here in Malaysia?

2. Do you receive education that is needed by society needs or what industry needs? 

Most of us agreed that we receive adequate exposure to both societal and industry expectations:

• Societal education often begins at home, but is further supported by the university's moral and ethical teachings.
• Industry needs are addressed through practical experiences like internships, which are a part of IIUM's curriculum and give students a hands-on introduction to their future professions.

3. Do you think you are being educated to be a balanced person or being prepared for job's employability?

We agreed that IIUM strives to shape balanced individuals.

• Apart from academic courses, students are also exposed to non-major subjects such as leadership skills, family management, or skills like counselling, event management, debating, etc.
• These courses enhance soft skills, preparing us to be adaptable and well-rounded individuals.
• Prof also emphasized that adaptability is a key indicator of a balanced person which is the ability to fit into diverse environments and solve problems creatively.

4. What do you think about the "education" you are receiving in IIUM now?

• One of my classmates pointed out that IIUM is considered "okay" or average compared to other universities. 
• Some felt that credit hour requirements are too high, with many subjects being unrelated to their major, such as "unicore" courses.

5. Where and what is the role of ISLAM in the universities?

A student insightfully shared that Islam isn’t just a subject for exams, but a way of life.

• Universities should foster Islamic values through lifestyle practices, such as promoting proper dress codes, offering Halal food, organising religious events, and encouraging congregational prayers.
• At IIUM, we’re fortunate that Islamic principles are integrated into the academic curriculum, where lecturers often incorporate these values into their teaching.
• Another student emphasized that universities should remind and guide students in their daily religious obligations, especially since not everyone comes from a strong religious background.

We also had a discussion on Learning for Sustainability. Here are some key inputs:

• Learning to know (learning to learn, general knowledge, and understanding)
• Learning to do (skills, competence, and practical ability in a variety of settings)
• Learning to live together (tolerance, mutual understanding, and interdependence)
• Learning to be (personal autonomy and responsibility, memory, aesthetics, ethics, and communication and physical capacity)
• Learning to become (Education 2030)

Before I end, I would like to share a meaningful experience that closely relates to this week’s discussion on sustainable development. On 12th April, I had the opportunity to join a volunteering programme organised by Mahallah Nusaibah, where we participated in a beach cleaning activity at Pantai Kelanang.

It’s encouraging to see that IIUM actively promoting sustainability through real-world actions and I’m glad for the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful initiative.

Thank you for reading!