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Week 10: Measurement, Indices, and Indicators for Sustainable Development and SDGs

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Salam all, This week in SCSH1201, we took a deep dive into something that I honestly never thought I’d find interesting: indicators and indices . At first glance, it all sounded like technical jargon,  just data, statistics, and frameworks. But as I went through the slides, I realized how powerful these tools are in telling real stories about human well- being, sustainability, and our progress as a society. From the Human Development Index to the Happy Planet Index and even our own Malaysian Shariah Index , I was surprised at how diverse and meaningful these measurements can be. They aren’t just about GDP or economic growth anymore. They take into account the quality of life, environmental health, social justice, and even Islamic principles. That really resonated with me as a student in a university that places value on both dunya and akhirah . The Malaysian Shariah Index especially caught my attention. It’s not something I had heard much about before, but learning that it measur...
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Week 9 : Fieldwork

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Salam all, After going through the Week 9 slides for SCSH 1201, I found myself pausing and genuinely reflecting on what it means to be a student at a university that promotes sustainability. The topic, “ IIUM as a Sustainable Campus: Students as Agents of Change,” isn't just a catchy title,  it’s a reminder of the amanah we carry. What struck me most was the realization that there’s no single, fixed definition of a “ sustainable campus.” Instead, it’s something that each university shapes based on its context, challenges, and values. For IIUM, the combination of environmental care, economic responsibility, and social well- being is deeply embedded in Islamic teachings, as highlighted in the Quranic verses shared in the slides. These verses reminded me that sustainability isn’t just a global or academic concept,  it’s part of our deen. I was impressed by the variety of programs already in place: from food waste composting and solar energy initiatives to eco- transport studies ...
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Week 8: Role of Institutions

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Salam all, This week’s lecture on the role of institutions really helped me understand how important these structures are in shaping society. Before this, I mainly thought of institutions as just big organizations like schools or hospitals, but now I see they play a much deeper role in guiding how we behave, interact, and make decisions. The lecture clearly showed the difference between formal and informal institutions,  something I had never really thought about. It surprised me to realize how informal institutions like customs and traditions can sometimes be just as powerful as laws. One part that stood out to me was how institutions help reduce uncertainty. I hadn’t considered how much we rely on them to maintain order. For example, the idea that institutions set “ rules of the game” made a lot of sense, especially when thinking about how markets, governments, or even families function. I also found the discussion on path dependency interesting,  how past decisions and s...
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Week 7: Challenges to Sustainable Development

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Salam all, This week’s lecture on the challenges to sustainable development ( SD) was really eye- opening. I’ve always thought that sustainability was mostly about the environment, but I’ve come to understand that the challenges are deeply rooted in multiple aspects;  economic, social, and even political systems. One of the most striking things I learned was how global consumption patterns are heavily skewed, with developed countries using far more resources than developing ones. This made me reflect on how lifestyle and consumerism are not just personal choices,  they have real global consequences. The fact that economic development often comes at the cost of environmental degradation highlights the difficult trade- offs many countries face, especially in the Global South. I also found the issue of governance to be very important. Without strong institutions and political will, policies for sustainability may exist on paper but not in practice. The slide that mentioned “ la...
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Week 6: Roles of Universities in Sustainable Development

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Salam all, This week’s lecture helped me realize how important universities are in promoting sustainable development,  not just through teaching and research, but also by shaping students into responsible and ethical individuals. One point that really stood out to me was the idea from Professor Syed Naquib al- Attas that education should go beyond just academics and include spiritual, moral, and intellectual development. It reminded me that as a student, I am not just here to chase good grades, but also to become a better human being who can contribute positively to society. I was also struck by the idea that universities should not only generate knowledge but also share it with communities to solve real- world problems, especially for those in the “ bottom billion.” I found this concept very meaningful because sometimes we forget that our studies should have a purpose that benefits others, not just ourselves. The slides mentioned that our research should be accessible, affordabl...
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Week 5: Sejahtera as Local Concept of Sustainable Development

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Salam all, This week’s lecture introduced me to the concept of Sejahtera , which I had heard before but didn’t fully understand until now. I learned that Sejahtera is more than just a word,  it reflects a holistic and balanced way of life rooted in peace, prosperity, and spiritual well- being. What struck me most is that Sejahtera is deeply linked with the idea of sustainable development, especially from a local and Islamic perspective. I found it interesting that Sejahtera focuses on inner peace and balance,  not just in terms of physical health, but also emotional, intellectual, and spiritual harmony. It made me reflect on how sustainability isn’t just about saving the environment or improving the economy,  it’s also about how we live as individuals and how we contribute to society. Concepts like KhAIR and F. A. S. T. further showed how Sejahtera can be put into practice in our daily lives through values like kindness, action, and responsibility. What I also appreci...
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Week 4: International Framework of Sustainable Development

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Salam all, This week’s lecture was very eye- opening for me because it helped me understand the global efforts behind sustainable development. I’ve heard of terms like “ Kyoto Protocol” and “ Agenda 21” before, but I never really understood what they meant until now. Learning about the series of international conferences,  starting from Stockholm in 1972, to Rio in 1992, and up to the Sustainable Development Goals in 2016,  gave me a clear picture of how countries around the world have come together to solve environmental and developmental issues. What I found especially interesting was the idea of " common but differentiated responsibilities" . I think it’s fair that developed countries, which contributed more to environmental problems, should take the lead in fixing them, while also supporting developing countries with technology and funds. It shows the importance of global cooperation and fairness in sustainable development. I also learned about the concept of Sejahtera ,...
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