Photo Saharah Saad
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 May 2026: The Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB), Universiti Utara Malaysia, in partnership with Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) and the Institute of Sustainable Growth and Urban Development (ISGUD), UUMKL, organised the International Forum: Driving Institutional Change – Policies for Sustainable Higher Education.
The forum brought together 80 academic leaders from 37 Indonesian universities to discuss how universities can advance sustainability through policy, governance, accreditation and institutional change.
The opening remarks were delivered by Datuk Prof. Ts. Dr. Norazah Mohd Suki, Deputy Dean (Academic & International) of OYAGSB, who called on universities to embed sustainability into governance, teaching, research, operations and long-term planning.
“Sustainability should not be treated as a separate activity or a temporary project. It must become part of the university’s culture and direction,” she said.
Moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aizan Yaacob, Director of ISGUD, the forum featured two key panelists, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rohail Hassan and Dr. Zeittey Karmilla Kaman. The session provided a platform for academic leaders to exchange views on strengthening sustainability practices across universities.
The discussion focused on national frameworks and accreditation bodies, curriculum alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), university strategies and governance, and the integration of sustainability into non-environmental disciplines.
Participants also explored how accreditation can help universities move from awareness to measurable action across teaching, research, campus operations and institutional decision-making.
The forum highlighted the importance of clear policies and strong governance in helping universities respond to social, economic, technological and environmental challenges.
Through this initiative, OYAGSB reaffirmed its commitment to academic mobility, international collaboration and sustainable higher education, while strengthening institutional cooperation across the region.
The forum marked an important step in promoting policy-driven change and advancing sustainable higher education in Southeast Asia. – Nur Afiqah Abu Bakar
