Alia Maisarah

Each group will present the group project 

This week’s session offered a powerful and emotional insight into how poverty and inequality intersect with education, health, and livelihoods. The case study of Banwari , a 17-year-old from Rajasthan, painted a clear picture of how systemic barriers can disrupt a child’s future and how sustainability must include social and economic dimensions not just environmental ones 🌿. This week reminded me that sustainability is not just about protecting nature it’s about protecting people 🌱🤲. Banwari’s story is one of millions, and it shows how urgent it is to fight inequality with education, healthcare, and opportunities. As a student, I feel a growing responsibility to use what I learn to support inclusive, empathetic, and sustainable change .

This week’s session was truly eye-opening! 👀 We explored how shifting from traditional disciplinary thinking to a transdisciplinary approach is essential for solving complex sustainability challenges 🌍. Through the example of Sg Pusu and the touching story of Banwari , I learned that sustainability isn’t just about the environment it’s about people, society, and the systems we live in ❤️🌿. 💡 Key Realizations: Disciplinary Limitations vs. Transdisciplinary Solutions 🧠🔄 Traditional disciplines offer depth 📚, but they can lead to narrow thinking. A transdisciplinary approach brings everyone together engineers, lawmakers, community members, IT experts, and more—to find real, practical solutions 🤝💡. It’s teamwork at its best! Tragedy of the Commons & Collective Action 🌊⚠️ Learning about the "tragedy of the commons" reminded me how easily shared resources can be overused when people focus only on themselves 😞. That’s why collective responsibility and a t...

 This week’s class was truly eye-opening 💡 as we explored how sustainability is actually measured. 📍 What I Learned: Sustainable development isn’t just a dream 🌈 it needs data and indicators to track real progress! We explored so many cool indices like: 🌱 Human Development Index (HDI) 🌍 Ecological Footprint 😄 Happy Planet Index 💚 Malaysian Shariah Index (love how it ties to Maqasid Shariah ✨ I also learned to differentiate between types of indicators: context , input , process , and impact indicators . These categories helped me see how every stage of a project from planning to results can be tracked and improved. For example, under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), it was interesting to see how different levels of outcomes from food parcel distribution to health impacts are measured systematically. Overall, this week has taught me that “what gets measured, gets managed.” As a student and future contributor to society, I now understand that designing and evaluatin...

This week’s fieldwork at IIUM focusing on the theme “Students as Agents of Change” was an eye-opening experience. Observing the various sustainability initiatives around campus made me realise how serious IIUM is in integrating sustainable development practices into daily life. From solar panels and groundwater usage to food waste composting and e-bike sharing, the efforts are both innovative and impactful. I was especially inspired by projects like myTREEvolution , the food bank programme, and even the small but meaningful presence of cat shelters that reflect the university’s care for both people and the environment. Through this observation, I came to understand that sustainability is not just about protecting the environment, but also includes social and economic aspects. IIUM's effort to promote mental health awareness and provide assistance to students in need reflects a holistic approach to being a truly sustainable campus. Personally, the experience made me more aware of ...

 This week’s lecture provided valuable insight into the significant role that institutions play in shaping societal structure and ensuring governance, justice, and development. I learned that institutions whether formal (like the government, judiciary, and education systems) or informal (such as family or religious organizations) are fundamental in maintaining order, distributing power, and influencing human behaviour. One key takeaway was the distinction between formal and informal institutions , and how both types work together to support social cohesion and policy implementation. For example, while laws and constitutions are essential for governance, values and cultural norms also shape how those laws are followed and respected. The discussion on institutional failure particularly stood out to me. It highlighted how corruption, lack of transparency, or weak enforcement can lead to widespread inequality and a breakdown in public trust. This was especially relevant when we look...