In order to equip Malaysian students for careers in sustainable industries and green jobs, it is vital to make use of a range of research studies and programs that emphasize environmental awareness and sustainability practices across various sectors of the Malaysian economy. By tapping into the expertise offered by the following sources, educators and policymakers can craft effective strategies for preparing students with the essential knowledge and skills required to excel in environmentally-friendly industries. By drawing insights from the following references, educators and policymakers can develop strategies to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in green industries:

• (Chin et al., 2021) emphasize the importance of developing sustainable business practices in biobased chemicals by leveraging Malaysia’s abundant supply of biobased feedstock. This research highlights the potential for collaboration between petrochemical, palm oil, and oleochemical industries to drive Malaysia’s economy towards sustainability.

Suggestion: Industry-Academia Partnerships: Collaborate with companies in the petrochemical, palm oil, and oleochemical industries to offer internships and research opportunities focused on sustainable business practices

• Rahim et al. (2019) discuss the certification of Green Project Managers (GPM) in the Malaysian construction industry as part of the Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP). This study underscores the importance of developing environmentally sustainable construction practices and certifying professionals to lead green projects.

Suggestion: Simulation and Case Studies: Use simulations and real-world case studies in the classroom to teach sustainable construction practices.

• Kuys et al. (2021) present a case study on university-industry collaboration for sustainable furniture design in Malaysia. This research showcases the role of institutions like the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) in supporting sustainable innovation within the manufacturing industry.

Suggestion: University-Industry Challenges: Establish design challenges in partnership with local industries to foster innovation in sustainable furniture design.

• Manaff et al. (2019) explore the impact of size on sustainability practices and performance in Malaysian construction companies. This study sheds light on the Green Technology Roadmap initiated by the Malaysian government to promote sustainability in the construction sector.

Suggestion: Research Opportunities: Encourage research into new sustainable practices and technologies for wood processing and utilization.

• Armir et al. (2020) assess the readiness of Peninsular Malaysia’s wood-based industries for achieving sustainability. By examining different wood processing practices and Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), this research provides insights into enhancing sustainability within the wood-based industry.

Suggestion: Sustainability Conferences and Symposia: Host events that bring together students, researchers, and industry experts to share knowledge and develop new ideas in sustainability.

By incorporating findings from these studies and initiatives, educational institutions in Malaysia can tailor their curriculum to include relevant sustainability practices, green technologies, and industry-specific knowledge to prepare students for green jobs and sustainable industries. Moreover, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government bodies can further enhance students’ readiness to contribute to Malaysia’s sustainable development goals.

References:

Armir, N., Zakaria, S., Begum, R., Chamhuri, N., Ariff, N., Harun, J., … & Kadir, M. (2020). The readiness of peninsular malaysia wood-based industries for achieving sustainability. Bioresources, 15(2), 2971-2993. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.15.2.2971-2993

Chin, S., Shahruddin, S., Chua, G., Samsodin, N., Setiabudi, H., Chand, N., … & Samsudin, N. (2021). Palm oil-based chemicals for sustainable development of petrochemical industries in malaysia: progress, prospect, and challenges. Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 9(19), 6510-6533. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c09329

Kuys, J., Mahmud, A. A., & Kuys, B. (2021). A case study of university–industry collaboration for sustainable furniture design. Sustainability, 13(19), 10915. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910915

Manaff, M., Lokman, N., & Tahir, N. (2019). Does size moderate sustainability practices and performance of construction companies in malaysia?. International Journal of Social Sciences Perspectives, 4(2), 48-61. https://doi.org/10.33094/7.2017.2019.42.48.61

Rahim, N., Ismail, Z., & Nordin, R. (2019). Certification for green project managers (gpm) in the malaysian construction industry: analysis of success factors. Matec Web of Conferences, 266, 01005. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201926601005

Written by Yang Qammarina Binti Mohd Toha

#This piece is solely the personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect HIVE Educator’s stance.