THE 5TH INTERNATIONAL USM CGSS X PAGAMO COMPETITION: INCREASES SUSTAINABILITY & SDGS EDUCATION THROUGH DIGITAL AND INNOVATIVE APPROACH

PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR, 13 April 2026 - The 5th International USM CGSS x PaGamO Environmental Education E-sports Game Competition (Malaysia) 2026 was successfully concluded on April 12 which marks another milestone that reflects the growing recognition of this event among the community. The event was held at SJK (C) Puay Chai, SS2, Petaling Jaya, Selangor where the fifth edition of the championship brought together a total of 99 participants from both primary and secondary school students including Penang, Kedah, Perak, Melaka and Johor. The participants, comprising primary school students, secondary school students, and members of the public, competed in two categories with Category A is designated for primary school students, while Category B is for secondary school students and open participants.

The uniqueness of this championship is the innovative and refreshing learning approach. Unlike normal education or gaming competitions, it combines both through an online gamification platform, Tzu Chi PaGamO, which bridges the gap for video game elements with environmental education. This approach not only generates excitement and interests among participants especially youths but also enhances strategic thinking skills, resource management, virtual city building and the ability to solve quiz-based challenges centred on environmental conservation and sustainability. Throughout the competition, participants were tested across 12 major sustainability themes, including water resources, ocean pollution, climate change, crisis defence, circular economy, energy conservation, air pollution, recycling, food resources, current affairs, net zero emissions and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The diversity of themes made the championship both engaging and rich in knowledge relevant to current global challenges and issues.

The organization of this championship was clearly focused on increasing student and youth’s interest in environmental issues through an interactive and creative approaches. At the same time, it strengthened public awareness of the importance of environmental conservation while serving as a platform to build a stronger relationship among students, teachers and parents as well as encouraging the use of technology in 21st-century education. There are also a series of knowledge-sharing sessions which was conducted throughout the event which involved expert panels from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and higher education institutions. A total of 18 teachers participated in the sharing session which were filled with valuable insights in the field of sustainability.

Among the key highlights was an introductory session on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) followed by a presentation on the ONE PASS Chart by Mr. Siow Eik Kwang from the Tzu Chi Malaysia. In this session, he shared Tzu Chi’s environmental philosophy, introduced the ONE PASS Chart which was conceptualized by Mr. Chen Zhe Lin and elaborated on practical experiences in promoting environmental sustainability to the community. The session continued with a discussion on the roles and responsibilities of youth in achieving the SDGs by Ms. Lee Bee Chu from the Green Educators’ Workgroup (GREW). The student perspective was also highlighted through a sharing session by Benjamin Beh who presented insights from the younger generation on realizing sustainability agendas.

The highlight of the knowledge-sharing session was a presentation titled "USM CGSS – Vision and Action Towards SDGs" by Associate Professor Dr. Ng Theam Foo, Deputy Director of the Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), who also serves as the coordinator of the Environmental Protection & Education Hub (EPEHub), CGSS. He shared a comprehensive overview, direction and aspirations of EPEHub & CETREE, CGSS in empowering the SDG agenda, while sharing various strategic initiatives and significant achievements that can serve as a reference for educators.

The championship was further brightened by the presence of Mr. Wan Samsuri Wan Hassan, Assistant Director of the Student Talent Development Unit, Selangor State Education Department as well as Dr. Mohd Sukri Shafie, Chief Research Officer of CETREE, CGSS. Visitors also had the opportunity to explore the SDGs exhibition organized by Tzu Chi Malaysia which attracted immense interest from parents and family members in attendance. This year’s event also received strong support from various organizations which includes GREW, Swisspac Resources Sdn. Bhd., The Prestige Hotel, Masmeyer Foundation, San & Associates, OKS Group, ViTrox Foundation and Unitech QS Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. This support reflects a shared commitment towards environmental conservation for the well-being of future generations.

In terms of achievements, Malaysia’s participation was commendable as they secured the fifth, sixth, and tenth places in Category B, competing against participants from Taiwan and Thailand. The ceremony concluded with a prize-giving session and a commemorative photo session. Simultaneously, the organizers announced that the 6th USM CGSS x PaGamO Championship will be open for registration and is set to continue in 2026/2027.

Overall, the championship not only successfully achieved its objectives but also demonstrated that the integration of technology, education and entertainment can create an enjoyable and high-impact learning experience. It is hoped that such efforts will nurture a generation that is more aware, responsible and committed to preserving environmental sustainability.

SDG 4, SDG 7, SDG 8, SDG 12, SDG 13 & SDG 17

Original Text: Syafiq Saifullah Azmi/Translation: Hong Kheng Jhun/Photo: Dr. Mohd Sukri Shafie