17.2.1 TVET UniTY Program – Green House of Worship Transformation Initiative
Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), through the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Technology, collaborated with the management committee of Masjid Al-Mursyid Guring to implement the Program Transformasi Masjid Kepada Rumah Ibadat Hijau (Green House of Worship Transformation Program) on 9 November 2024. This initiative forms part of the TVET UniTY Program, which promotes community engagement and sustainable practices through technical education.
A total of 26 students from the EMT20105 – Building Electrical System Maintenance course participated in the program, working closely with mosque representatives to improve the mosque’s energy and water efficiency. Activities included:
- Replacing conventional lighting with energy-saving LED bulbs,
- Installing Smart Wi-Fi switches for better energy control, and
- Installing water-efficient ablution taps to reduce water consumption.
This collaboration exemplifies UniMAP’s effort to build partnerships between academia and the local community in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative not only strengthened UniMAP’s engagement with local stakeholders but also promoted awareness of sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption (SDG 12), and climate action (SDG 13).
Through this partnership, UniMAP contributed to SDG 17.2.1 – Relationships to support the goals, demonstrating how academic expertise and technical education can empower communities to adopt greener, more sustainable practices.
(More info: TVET UniTY Program)
17.2.1 Strengthening Partnerships for the Future: UniMAP Drives Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in TVET for Sustainable Development
Location: Kolej Vokasional Kangar, Kangar
Date: 27 Ogos 2024
A significant step in fostering partnerships for sustainable development was taken with the educational forum "CSR Vocatiovista: Menjelang Masa Depan Dalam TVET." This program was inaugurated by the Centre of Excellence for Social Innovation & Sustainability (CoESIS) at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), in strategic collaboration with the Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (Ministry of Higher Education), UNESCO Malaysia, and Kolej Vokasional Kangar.
The forum was graced by the Director of KV Kangar, Mr. Mohamad Yatim bin Abu Bakar; the Head of CoESIS, Associate Professor Dr. Ummi Naiemah binti Saraih; and the Program Director, Dr. Mohd Khairulnizam bin Zahari. It featured a panel discussion with experts from UniMAP and industry partner Mutiara Perlis Sdn. Bhd., engaging an audience of 200 students.
The primary objective was to strengthen the strategic role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in building a sustainable and resilient future :
- Direct Involvement: The event was co-organized with Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (a national government body) and UNESCO Malaysia (a key intergovernmental organization). This demonstrates a formal, operational relationship focused on advancing education policy (SDG 4) and partnerships (SDG 17).
- Input into Policy Development: The forum's very purpose was to address key challenges in the TVET ecosystem. This includes identifying the problem of a potential skills gap, the challenge of aligning education with future industry needs, and the need to enhance the perception and strategic importance of TVET.
- Developing Strategies: By bringing together policymakers (Ministry of Higher Education), a global policy leader (UNESCO), an academic institution (UniMAP), and an industry partner, the forum served as a platform to co-develop strategic approaches. The discussion on "strategic approaches to TVET" is a direct input into shaping more effective, future-proof education and workforce policies.
