May 14, 2025, by sustainablenottingham

Education for Sustainable Development at University of Nottingham Malaysia

Dr Subarna Sivapalan, Associate Dean, Research and Knowledge Exchange

Co-Chair, UNESCO Chair in International Education and Development

The University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) has demonstrated a sustained commitment to education for sustainable development, aligning its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the University of Nottingham sustainability agenda. Sustainability and education for sustainable development is an integral aspect of teaching and learning at the university at all programme levels.

UoN Malaysia

‘Teachers stand at the forefront of localized change, introducing students to the knowledge, skills, values and abilities to act sustainably, live together peacefully and build a more just society.’ (UNESCO, 2021)

Embedding sustainability into teaching and learning

The School of Education at the Malaysia campus has also been at the forefront of embedding sustainability into its academic programmes and research. From the perspective of research, the School’s Sustainability and Transformational Education Research Cluster (STERC) exemplifies this effort by focusing on research areas such as Education for Sustainability and Inclusivity, STREAM and Digitalisation, and Language Learning Sciences. These initiatives aim to contribute to SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Since 2022, the school has been running sustainability centred annual Education Showcases that serve as a platform for students to showcase projects that address sustainability challenges. Within the formal curriculum, since the 22/23 academic year, at least four UG modules (Technology Enhanced Language Learning (TELL), Education and Society, Teaching Reading and Writing, Literature in the Language Classroom), selected Year 3 FYP projects, and a PGT module (Critical Perspectives in Curriculum and Pedagogy) consciously embed SDGs within its content and assessments, supporting sustainability aligned curriculum innovations at module and programme levels.

“Thanks to TELL, I’ve learned how to navigate UNESCO reports and seen you as a real-life example of incorporating SDGs into teaching without making it overwhelming. And those SDGs discussions? They’ve made me see that these aren’t just trendy words but real issues we need to tackle. I aspire to bring that same energy into my future classroom, making SDGs real, digestible and actionable for my students.” (Year 2 student)

Partnering with students

From the perspective of student experience and innovation in teaching and learning, the School of Education has also been successfully running the EDU22, a student-led initiative which advances access to quality and inclusive education through experiential learning. The SDGs focused EDU22 flagship initiative Project ASLI is co-designed by students and staff with indigenous communities, national and state government agencies and NGOs to support real-world and interdisciplinary learning beyond the formal curriculum. EDU22 empowers students and staff to co-create social impact educational programmes with underserved communities to inspire community learning.

“Through A.S.L.I Project, I gained first-hand knowledge of the SDGs and learned how to seamlessly incorporate them into our initiatives. Inspired by my exposure to the SDGs during the A.S.L.I. Project, we made a conscious effort to embed the goals into every aspect of the showcase” (Year 3 Student).

A new ‘Sustainability: Global and Local Perspectives’ module

Beginning September 2025, the institution is looking forward to offering a core sustainability module Sustainability: Global and Local Perspectives within the Foundation Programme. The module, which is convened by the School of Education and the School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, emphasises an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability and will be delivered by academic colleagues across our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, with guest sessions by industry, NGO and CSO partners. The module is well aligned with Agenda 2030, global and local sustainability issues and conforms to the Malaysian Qualification Agency’s standards that call for the incorporation of education for sustainable development to equip learners with the competencies to tackle these issues effectively and responsibly.

To celebrate the launch of this module, and in conjunction with Sustainability Action Week, join a  Continuing Professional Development session focused on Embedding Sustainability in Learning in Partnership with Students. The session will be facilitated by Students Organising for Sustainability United Kingdom.

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