IN my last piece, I wrote on the importance of universities in Malaysia to focus and invest their resources, especially their human ones, to help the country achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With several universities recognised for their efforts, the aim is to help the country move forward in a more sustainable pathway.
Working with local communities is going to be paramount. It is important that we embrace a "whole of university" approach to community partnerships. Start with resetting the relationships between the universities' top administrators and their learners.
This implies a strong visionary involvement from the highest levels of decision making at universities, a strategic involvement that does not translate into top- down decision making, but instead, enables other stakeholders to co-lead the process.
The potential of students' involvement in transformational changes in the university system is huge, but often neglected. If universities want to lead in sustainability and social justice, start forging partnerships with their students.
A great example is the Centre for Environment and Development Studies (Cemus), a joint initiative from Uppsala University and from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
While faculties from both universities are involved in running the centre, Cemus was initiated by students in the early 1990s who wanted to have a stronger crosscutting curriculum in the field of sustainability.
Imagine how ahead of their times those students were, and till now, Cemus has been thriving because students really take the lead, co-designing curricula, training and workshops, turning the centre in a worldwide recognised best practice.
A civic university is also strategically engaged with local communities, bringing contributions to its development that must be equitable and sustainable.
Students are the best bridge for the universities to reach out to communities.
Certainly there is a host of student-led community engagement at many universities, but here it's about giving them the power to decide, to have a voice and co-lead community engagement.
Because SDGs are holistic, all student groups can have a role to play in implementing the goals and creating awareness. Each of them must be supported, not just financially but also technically, something often overlooked, to become promoters, innovators and change-makers.
In an example of student-led partnership, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) involved and engaged its students in its "Leadership for Social Empowerment", allowing them to learn and grow by partnering with communities to promote of local heritage products.
This partnership has been recognised globally because the initiative allowed IIUM to be the first Malaysian university to receive the International Green Gown Award. This will motivate and inspire other institutions.
IIUM joins Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UCSI University and Universiti Sains Malaysia in being recognised as a regional centre of expertise by United Nations University for its work in sustainable education in Gombak.
Having five universities leading in sustainability and biodiversity is remarkable, but I feel that almost all universities in the country should aspire to the same.
"Emphasising cooperation in community services in our curriculum by increasing the number of forces that can work closely with the community" was going to be key, said IIUM rector Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.
Partnering with students for stronger community partnerships is imperative for universities here and elsewhere.
Their role in achieving the SDGs won't be based only on financial resources available, but also on unleashing students' creativity and partnering with communities.
Will universities in Malaysia, regardless of ranking and financial prowess, re-double their efforts and commit to a more sustainable and just world?
Will they rethink their missions and visions to reposition themselves as beacon of sustainability and civic engagement?
The writer writes on social inclusion, youth development and regional integration as an engine to improve people's lives in Asia. He is the co-founder of ENGAGE, a not for profit working with youth with and without disabilities based in Kathmandu, Nepal
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times