The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Course organized by UTM Campus Sustainability (UTMCS) on November 11–14, 2024 at the UTM Counselling Centre has represented a pivotal step forward in advancing sustainable governance within higher education.

The Director of UTMCS, Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Fadhil Md. Din said that this ESG course is an essential initiative that underscores Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) dedication to sustainability by empowering its leaders and managers to take actionable steps toward integrating ESG principles into every facet of university operations.

By targeting key stakeholders such as deputy registrars, green managers and energy managers, this course aligns with UTM’s strategic objective of fostering responsible, future-ready leadership equipped to navigate and address critical environmental, social and governance challenges.

The ESG course organized by UTMCS was divided into 4 days with a total of 11 modules being presented by 11 UTM lecturers according to their expertise.

On day one, the topics covered were Foundations in Sustainability and ESG Integration with Module 1: Sustainability and Governance in Organizations being facilitated by Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadhil Md. Din  followed by Module 2: Localizing SDG Action Plans Across Sectors by Deputy Director of UTMCS Kuala Lumpur, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shamsul Sarip, focuses on adapting and localizing SDG indicators to meet the specific needs of UTM and its stakeholders. Through interactive discussions and group work, participants explore UTM’s own SDG indicators and develop localized action plans that align with the institution’s goals.

Guided by Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Sharifah Rafidah Wan Alwi, Module 3: University Energy Efficiency in Action Energy introduces participants to the Energy Efficiency Conservation Act and the principles of a Sustainable Energy Management System (SEMS).

Through this hands-on activity, participants develop energy-saving strategies tailored to their assigned campus areas, fostering a collaborative approach to resource management.

For Day Two main topics are Sustainable Practices in Mobility, Water and Waste with three modules been taught namely Module 4: Sustainable Urban Mobility, Module 5: Integrating ESG Principles for Water Security and Module 6: Waste as Resources.

Module 4 focuses on promoting sustainable mobility solutions for urban and campus environments. Participants assess the challenges of urban transportation, examining its impact on land use and community wellbeing while Module 5 puts the placement of water security and quality that essential for both environmental sustainability and social responsibility

Module 6 facilitated by Dr. Huszalina Husin challenges participants to rethink waste management as a valuable resource. Through hands-on composting activities and discussions on waste reduction strategies, participants explore practical applications of waste recycling, composting, and minimization. This module underscores the economic and environmental benefits of waste management, encouraging participants to implement waste reduction practices in UTM’s operations.

Day 3 topics was Advanced ESG Topics in Risk and Carbon Management with the modules were Module 7: Risk Management for ESG, Module 8: Net Zero Carbon and Module 9: Finance & Investment in ESG.

Risk management is essential for integrating ESG principles into university administration. Led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mat Naim Abdullah, this module covers ESG risk management frameworks, tools, and strategies for mitigating potential risks in policy and decision-making processes. Participants discuss real-world scenarios in which the absence of ESG considerations led to adverse outcomes, gaining insights into risk assessment methodologies that support UTM’s strategic objectives.

Module 8 : Net Zero Carbon led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zarina Ab. Muis leads this module on achieving net-zero carbon emissions, a critical goal for UTM’s sustainability agenda. Participants explore frameworks for energy management, best practices in reducing carbon footprints, and strategies for fostering a culture of sustainability. Through case studies and collaborative workshops, participants gain practical insights into reducing emissions and achieving energy efficiency on campus.

Module 9: Finance & Investment in ESG facilitated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rohaya Abdul Jalil Financial investment are powerful driver of sustainability. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rohaya’s session examines ESG investment principles and sustainable finance, teaching participants how to measure and report the financial impact of ESG initiatives. This module enables UTM leaders to make informed investment decisions that support sustainability while achieving financial viability.

On the last day, Day 4, topics were Principles of ESG Ethics and Materiality Assessment with Module 10: Principles and Integrity in ESG and Module 11: Materiality Assessment for ESG Integration

Ethical governance is fundamental to the ESG framework, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aini Suzana Ariffin and Dr. Shazwin Mat Taib lead participants through key ESG ethics and integrity principles. This module reinforces the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in all aspects of ESG, promoting a culture of integrity at UTM.

The final module, facilitated by LAr. Dr. Zanariah Jasmani, introduces participants to materiality assessment, a strategic tool for identifying and prioritizing ESG issues.

Through benchmarking and policy integration exercises, participants develop actionable frameworks to align UTM’s policies with SDG indicators. This assessment enables UTM to concentrate on the most impactful sustainability initiatives for the institution.

The ESG Course by UTM Campus Sustainability is more than a professional development opportunity—it’s a strategic investment in UTM’s future. By equipping its leaders with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding to implement ESG principles, UTM is establishing a benchmark for sustainability in higher education.

This course positions UTM as a proactive leader in Malaysia’s sustainability landscape, setting an example for other institutions to follow. As participants complete this course, they are empowered to not only implement ESG principles within UTM but to inspire sustainable practices.

By Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadhil Md. Din, Director of UTM Campus Sustainability (UTMCS)