Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) through the Office of Student Affairs and Alumni (HEPA) has for the first time organized the Global Young Leaders Summit 2024 (ESG 2024). The event’s theme was “Nurturing Future Leaders for Ocean and Environmental Stewardship”, which is in line with UMT’s niche areas and the Malaysia Madani concept introduced by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) concept focuses on the environmental, social, and governance sustainability, and its approach is in line with today’s global landscape.

Balancing between development and environmental and ecosystem sustainability is no longer an option, but it is a pressing need in order to manage the environmental crisis that is getting more prevalent today. The world is getting worse, so al of us must rise to the occasion and overcome the issue without blaming each other.  

Datuk Ts. Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, in his speech at the officiating ceremony of the summit said ESG is an initiative to combine the efforts to achieve social and governance sustainability. He also urged other institutions to play an important role to ensure the success of ESG missions and core values.

He added that the threats towards environmental sustainability, global warming, climate change, pollution, and diminishing biodiversity resources are discussed daily, but these issues are increasingly threatening the world.

“Therefore, sustainable strategies and approaches are needed to overcome these threats successfully. Relatively, the Sustainable Development Goals are introduced on a wider scale through programmes at the national level, held at all public universities to provide exposre to all the students in order to motivate them to work together on overcoming the environmental sustainable issues”.

He added that the global awareness towards sustainable issues has prompted MOHE to take the initiative to make an effort to ensure social and governance sustainability.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Mohamad Salmi Mohd Sohod, Chairman of UMT’s Board of Directors, expressed his thanks for the involvement from the Ministry of Higher Education, industry’s strategic partners, invited panels, and the programme’s secretariat to ensure the success of ESG 2024.

He said that the cooperation and contribution from the government and the corporate sector will enable a bigger impact to society and students with respect to the global environmental conservation.

A forum was also held during the programme, with the topic “Cultivating ESG Talent in Young Leaders, and featured panel from various agencies including Daryl Foong, Aquawalk Sdn. Bhd. executive director; Associate Professor Dr Maizah Mohd Abdullah, senior lecturer from the Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, UMT; Brian Yong, environmental journalist; and Mary Jane Lamoste, SOA Asia regional representative.

MOHE offered three set of prizes to excellent participants during ESG 2024. For the first set, five best participants will receive assistance from RHB Islamic Bank. Next, 12 selected participants from each state will be offered to join a course at Kapas Island, Terengganu. For the third set, three best projects will receive a grant totalling RM3,500, fully sponsored by French Embassy in Malaysia and Sustainable Ocean Alliance.

Resolutions obtained from ESG 2024 regarding ESG issues and implementation strategies for the youth especially at higher education institutions will be submitted to the government. These resolutions will become the manifesto from the youth regarding more effective solution to the sustainability issues in the future.

The role of HEI is to produce leaders who participate in the global sustainability agenda, through involvement at the international arena. Issues of environmental sustainabiltiy, global warming, climate change, food security, pollution, diminishing biodiversity resources are discussed in a wider context to allow every party to know their role in maintaining the environmental sustainability.

The four-day programme from 22 – 25 August managed to gather 200 students, some of whom were student council representatives, students conducting sustainability projects, and international students.

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Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu