Empowering Student ESD Ambassadors to Promote Education for Sustainable Development Through YRU–USM International Collaboration

USM, PENANG, 31 July 2026 – The School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), strengthened its commitment to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through the successful organisation of the YRU–USM International Collaboration on Education for Sustainable Development Programme, held from 20 to 23 July 2026. 

The four-day programme brought together 25 preservice teachers and 17 lecturers and staff members from Yala Rajabhat University (YRU), Thailand, for an international learning experience centred on sustainability, intercultural exchange and educational collaboration. The programme was organised by lecturers from the Psychology and Psychometric Cluster, School of Educational Studies, USM: Prof. Dr. Hairul Nizam Ismail, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melissa Ng Lee Yen Abdullah, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aswati Hamzah and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shahabuddin Hashim. 

A distinctive feature of the programme was the involvement of USM Education students as ESD Ambassadors. Having developed educational innovations through the PGT101 Educational Psychology course and subsequently won 13 awards at the International Innovation Competition on Education for Sustainable Development (IIC-ESD 2026) in Thailand on 2 July 2026, the students extended their learning beyond the course by volunteering as peer facilitators for visiting YRU preservice teachers. This experience enabled them to apply their ESD knowledge in authentic settings while strengthening their leadership, communication and collaborative skills. The ESD Ambassadors were mentored by the ESD Ambassador Committee, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melissa Ng Lee Yen Abdullah and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aswati Hamzah, with support from academic and administrative staff.

One of the programme highlights was the Sustainability Treasure Hunt, a student-led experiential activity conducted across the USM campus. Working collaboratively, YRU preservice teachers explored sustainability-related locations, initiatives and practices and connected their observations with relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The activity transformed the campus into a living learning environment, allowing participants to see how sustainability is reflected in university practices while the ESD Ambassadors guided activities, facilitated discussion and communicated sustainability messages. 

The programme extended beyond the campus-based Treasure Hunt through visits to Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, the Centre for Global Archaeological Research and Penang Hill. These experiences enabled participants to explore the connections between ESD and culture, heritage, biodiversity, conservation and sustainable tourism. Participants were also introduced to RCE Penang and USM’s sustainability initiatives, while a Thai Language and Cultural Learning Class strengthened intercultural understanding between YRU and USM preservice teachers.

Together, these activities demonstrated how ESD can be embedded in teacher education through experiential learning, student leadership and international collaboration. The programme provided preservice teachers with opportunities not only to learn about sustainability, but also to experience, communicate and promote it within authentic educational and community settings.

Through the YRU–USM International Collaboration on ESD, the School of Educational Studies reaffirmed its commitment to preparing future educators who are able to translate sustainability knowledge into collaborative and meaningful action for sustainable change.  

Text & Photo: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melissa Ng Lee Yen Abdullah, Psychology and Psychometric Cluster, School of Educational Studies, USM