ALOR SETAR, 30 July 2025 – Albukhary International University (AIU), through its School of Education and Human Sciences (SEHS), successfully hosted the Workshop on Asian Teacher Educators for Climate Change Education (ATECCE) from 21st to 23rd July 2025. This three-day intensive program aimed to enhance Climate Change Education (CCE) by embedding sustainability principles within the region’s teacher training and educational practices.
Held on AIU’s campus in Alor Setar, Kedah, the workshop brought together distinguished educators, researchers, and participants from both local and international backgrounds. The initiative served as a platform for collaborative knowledge exchange, addressing the urgent need for climate-aware teaching methodologies across Asia.
Strengthening Global Partnerships for Climate Education
AIU was honoured to welcome distinguished scholars from Okayama University, Japan, as part of an esteemed delegation. Among them were:
- Prof. Hiroki Fujii, UNESCO Chair in Research and Education for Sustainable Development,
- Dr. Khalifatullah Fil’ard, Research Assistant Professor, also at Okayama University.
Their contributions offered deep insights into integrating sustainable development goals (SDGs) within the context of formal teacher education. Drawing from their UNESCO-aligned research, both speakers emphasized the transformative power of educators in building a climate-resilient generation.
Malaysian Experts Share Localised Insights
The workshop also featured influential local figures in climate education:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rabiatul Adawiah from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) shared frameworks for localising CCE within school curricula, emphasizing cultural relevance and community engagement.
- Bro Muhaideen Abdul Kadir, representing the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Greater Gombak, contributed valuable perspectives on how educators can act as agents of change in promoting sustainability at the grassroots level.
Their sessions highlighted the importance of contextualising global climate frameworks within the Malaysian educational landscape.
Fostering Future-Ready Educators: Participants and Impact
The ATECCE workshop brought together a dynamic group of participants, including:
- 10 in-service teachers from SK Sultanah Asma and SK Tunku Raudzah,
- 10 pre-service teachers from AIU’s Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEE) program.
Over the course of three days, participants engaged in:
- Team-building activities to foster collaboration,
- Interactive breakout discussions for experience sharing,
- Reflective exercises to explore the educator’s role in tackling climate issues,
- Pedagogical toolkits for embedding climate change themes into existing school subjects.
By encouraging cross-generational and cross-cultural dialogue, the workshop aimed to cultivate a network of educators committed to climate-conscious learning environments.
Building Bridges for Future Collaboration
Beyond knowledge-sharing, the workshop opened pathways for future academic cooperation between AIU, Okayama University, and other UNESCO-affiliated institutions. These partnerships hold the potential to:
- Jointly develop CCE-focused curriculum modules,
- Conduct collaborative research in sustainable development education,
- Provide mobility and training opportunities for AIU students and faculty.
Such efforts align with AIU’s broader mission to equip students and teachers alike with the tools needed to inspire change and safeguard the planet for future generations.
Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow
The ATECCE Workshop reflects AIU’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, global citizenship, and community-focused education. By empowering both current and future teachers with climate literacy and actionable teaching strategies, the university reaffirms its dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education & SDG 13: Climate Action).
As the climate crisis intensifies, the role of education in shaping attitudes, behaviours, and policies becomes even more crucial. AIU stands ready to lead the way in training educators who will inspire climate action in classrooms and communities across Asia and beyond.
Together, we educate for a sustainable tomorrow.
About Albukhary International University (AIU)
Albukhary International University is a non-profit, private higher education institution located in Alor Setar, Kedah. Rooted in the principles of inclusion, social responsibility, and academic excellence, AIU serves as a multicultural hub dedicated to nurturing globally minded leaders.
📍 Address: Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman, MALAYSIA
📧 Email: corpcomm@aiu.edu.my
🌐 Website: www.aiu.edu.my
