KUCHING: The ASEAN Guru Innovation Challenge (ASEAN-GIC) continues to build on previous sustainability initiatives by empowering teachers and ASEAN youth volunteers to champion sustainability education in schools and communities across the region.
Speaking at the Guru Innovation Challenge Award and Closing Ceremony at TEGAS Digital Village on Saturday, ASEAN Foundation representative, Aulia Ramadhina, said this year’s programme is targeted to reach more than 6,800 direct beneficiaries across 22 schools and multiple strategic stakeholders.
She said ASEAN-GIC builds on previous initiatives under the ‘Empower Youth Across ASEAN’ (EYA) programme with long-standing project implementation partner, WormingUp.
The Edu-Plastic Cycle project focused on empowering young people through environmental education and plastic upcycling, reaching more than 2,600 beneficiaries, while the Youth Exchange Programme later expanded the initiative by connecting youth, communities and local stakeholders, reaching nearly 3,000 beneficiaries.
“This year, through ASEAN-GIC, the programme takes another meaningful step forward by empowering teachers as champions of sustainability education while ASEAN youth volunteers continue to serve as mentors and regional connectors,” she said.
Aulia said teachers play a vital role in shaping future generations, while youth volunteers bring fresh perspectives, innovation and the spirit of regional collaboration.
“When they work together, sustainability education does not end with a single programme or activity. Instead, it becomes something that can continue to grow in classrooms, schools and communities long after the programme has concluded,” she said.
She added that the programme’s success should not only be measured by the awards presented, but also by the actions, partnerships and innovations that continue to create positive change in schools, communities and across the ASEAN region.
Also present were Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian: TEGAS representatives, Jasmine Dadi@Tiap and Sharon Teo: Maybank Sarawak Regional Director, Abang Jamili Abang Julai: NREB Sarawak representative, Timah Beskop: and WormingUp’s Managing Director, Ts. Wee Hung Yee.
