metrics of various supply chain components , ensuring that suppliers adhere to the company ’ s ESG benchmarks .
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS & SUSTAINABILITY With the advent of Industry 4.0 , there is an explosion of technological possibilities , from AI to IoT . There is a dire need to leverage these for ESG purposes . As immediate examples , engineers , with their grasp of technology , can lead in integrating AI for energy management or using IoT for real-time monitoring of industrial emissions .
REGULATORY DIVERGENCE ASEAN , with its diverse member states , often has divergences in environmental and social regulations . What is permissible in one country might be frowned upon in another .
Engineers , especially those working on transnational projects , can standardise operations to the highest ESG standards , ensuring that projects not only meet but exceed local regulatory mandates .
RESKILLING & UPSKILLING CHALLENGES As industries shift towards more sustainable operations , there is a pronounced skill gap to meet the demands of an organisation ’ s sustainability programme . Existing workforces , including engineers , often find themselves needing to upskill and re-skill in this area .
Engineers can lead in developing training modules , courses , and workshops focusing on the integration of ESG in various industrial processes .
The gaps in the current ESG landscape are not mere challenges ; they are opportunities waiting to be harnessed . Engineers , with their unique blend of technical prowess and problemsolving capabilities , are positioned to not just fill these gaps but to innovate , setting new industry standards and shaping a more sustainable ecosystem at national and regional levels .
Cultivating Green Talent : Confluence of the ESG Framework and Engineering Education
The intersection of engineering and ESG is undeniable . Yet , this merger extends beyond professional practices in the field and is rooted deeply in the education and training of future engineers . Malaysia , with its recent introduction of the i-ESG framework , has not only provided a structured path for industries but has underscored the importance of embedding these principles right from the grassroots , namely our educational institutions .
THE CURRENT EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE Traditionally , engineering education in Malaysia is focused predominantly on technical competencies . While these are undeniably vital , there is a growing realisation of the importance of sustainability in the curriculum . However , the integration of sustainability into many technical-based curricula has been gradual , with many institutions still in the infancy stages of this inclusion .
WHY SUSTAINABILITY IN ENGINEERING CURRICULA IS NON-NEGOTIABLE With Bursa Malaysia ’ s Third Reporting Guideline , Securities Commission Malaysia ’ s Simplified ESG Disclosure Guideline , and the launch of the i-ESG framework by the Ministry of Investment , Trade and Industry , the message is clear : sustainability is no longer a choice ; it is an imperative . Engineers , as the backbone of industrial and infrastructural development , play a pivotal role in actualising Malaysia ’ s green goals . This responsibility begins not on the job but in the classroom . By embedding ESG principles into engineering curricula , we ensure that our future engineers do not just view sustainability as an add-on but as an integral part of their profession .
The i-ESG framework further augments this movement . With initiatives like i-ESGReady and i-ESGStart , there is a clear roadmap for institutions to incorporate sustainability into their courses , ensuring that their graduates are not just industry-ready but future-ready .
THE CONTINUOUS LEARNING CURVE Sustainability , given its evolving nature , is not a one-time lesson but a continuous learning curve . Practising engineers need to remain updated on the latest ESG practices . Professional bodies , in tandem with the Government , can facilitate this through workshops , seminars , and certifications , ensuring that our engineers remain at the forefront of sustainable innovation .
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