WEEK 9 REFLECTION: Fieldwork – Observing IIUM as a Sustainable Campus

 

Week 9: Fieldwork – Observing IIUM as a Sustainable Campus

Reflection on Week 9 (6 May 2025)

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Independent Learning & Lecture Summary

In Week 9, students participated in a field-based learning activity that centered around observing the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) as a sustainable campus. The activity emphasized practical exposure to sustainability initiatives, enabling students to analyze the campus environment through the lens of sustainable development principles. Each group had defined roles, simulating a collaborative working environment aligned with project-based learning.

The lecture and slides reviewed key sustainability initiatives implemented across IIUM campuses, covering environmental, social, and economic domains, as well as assessing the integration of Islamic ethical principles into campus-wide practices.

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Key Insights from the Field Observation and Lecture

Sustainable Campus vs. Green Campus

The fieldwork emphasized that a sustainable campus integrates not only environmental practices but also economic efficiency and social responsibility. A green campus, on the other hand, is often limited to ecological actions such as reducing waste or promoting energy efficiency. Students learned that IIUM strives to align all three pillars (environmental, social, and economic) while embedding Islamic values into daily practices.

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Daily Sustainability Practices Observed at IIUM

• Environmental

  • Solar panels and energy efficiency programs.

  • Food waste composting systems that reduce landfill contributions.

  • myTREEvolution: a tree-planting initiative aligned with national restoration efforts.

  • Zero-waste and recycling stations.

  • Lake conservation efforts around Tasik Maryam.

• Economic

  • Cost-saving projects like groundwater concessions (though not fully realized).

  • Efficient food waste management strategies aimed at long-term resource optimization.

• Social

  • Initiatives addressing student mental health, community well-being, and food banks.

  • Inclusive activities like Plogging Hike, Humility Day, and Clean-up campaigns.

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Systems Thinking and Sustainability in Practice

Using systems thinking, students assessed how individual actions (e.g., turning off unused taps or reducing food waste) contribute to broader sustainability goals. The observation encouraged long-term, integrative thinking by linking various sustainability projects into a cohesive campus ecosystem.

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Group Collaboration and Roles

Each group operated with assigned roles (leader, deputy, secretary, treasurer, runner) and contributed by:

• Identifying real-life sustainability issues on campus.

• Discussing the effectiveness and limitations of current initiatives.

• Proposing improvements for future development.

This promoted leadership, accountability, and collaborative analysis.

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Islamic Perspective on Sustainability

Quranic verses such as:

“And do not spend wastefully.” – Surah Al-Isra’, Ayah 26
“Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not commit abuse on the earth.” – Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 60

were highlighted as divine guidance for mindful consumption and earth stewardship. Students explored how Khalifah (stewardship) is embedded in campus sustainability policies and initiatives.