Latest news with #UnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentGoals
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
On MSME Day, small business owners urge Govt for better tech, funding, skilled workforce
By Nikhil Dedha New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): On this MSME Day, entrepreneurs and small business founders across various sectors have come forward to highlight the key challenges they face while running their businesses. The United Nations General Assembly has designated June 27 as 'Micro-Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises Day' to raise awareness of the contributions of MSMEs in the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From the need for better digital infrastructure and skilled workforce to smoother access to markets and financial support, their voices point to one common need, stronger on-ground support to help India's 64 million MSMEs grow and thrive. In a conversation with ANI, various small business founders highlighted their demands like improving technology and supply chains for small establishments. Vasu Naren, Chairman & Managing Director of Sona Machinery told ANI that there is a need for MSMEs to work on technology and supply chain development together. He said sectors like food processing often struggle with low quality due to technical issues, broken logistics, and limited digital links. He said, 'Smart trade infrastructure and real-time electronic platforms must become a new norm in the MSME sector. To add to this last-mile connectivity catalyzes growth and drives process innovation and cost-efficiency across the MSME pool. Additionally, government must levy more support in organizing trade fairs and funding the digital outreach which will empower small manufacturers to make space in the international markets'. Another founder highlighted the gaps in IT incubation support. Abhinav Rao, Founder & CEO of ParentVerse, shared with ANI that IT-based MSMEs still face a gap in incubation support. Citing data from Tracxn, he said India has 718 incubators and accelerators, with nearly 70 per cent backed by government funding. He said 'In the case of IT-based MSMEs, this gap becomes more evident. Unlike their private counterparts, who focus on contextual mentoring, operational support, and market access, many government-led incubators lean heavily on theoretical education, while lacking access to early-stage capital and structured, outcome-driven guidance. As a result, early-stage ventures often struggle to move from ideation to execution'. The founders of healthcare MSMEs highlighted the need of R&D and data protection help. Shabnum Khan, Founder of 750AD Healthcare stated two major issues for MSMEs in healthcare: lack of R&D support and data privacy concerns. She urged the government to provide R&D credits and conduct workshops on AI integration and data protection protocols. She told ANI 'In healthcare MSMEs, government must invest in R&D credits to the medium and small scale startups along with workshops on up skilling for AI integration and data privacy protection laws, protocols etc. The infrastructure needed to support these systems is cost intensive and this is one of the main reason why data breach is a common practice in healthcare'. Highlighting the issues in manufacturing sector the entrepreneurs stated that finding skilled labour still remains a big challenge. Dinesh Chandra Pandey, Founder of Shankar Fenestrations Glasses said that manufacturing MSMEs face rising costs of raw materials like silica and soda ash, along with power failures and delayed payments from large customers. He told ANI, 'Trained skilled labour is still hard to come by, particularly individuals adept at precise cutting, tempering, and installation. We would like to grow, innovate, and be part of India's growth story, but without pragmatic, on-ground assistance, it becomes challenging. MSMEs like us need more tangible support, prompt payments, and better market connections to compete in today's changing construction and manufacturing world.' He also shared that despite investing in CNC machines and smart glass tech, he said market demand and awareness remain low. Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder & CEO of PayNearby, said small businesses still lack access to credit and digital tools. He appreciated schemes like Udyam Registration, collateral-free loans, ONDC, and RBI's efforts to push last-mile banking through Business Correspondents. Digital Access for Rural MSMEs Nilay Patel, Founder & MD of EasyPay, said that while digital adoption is rising in Tier II and III cities, rural MSMEs still struggle to enter the wider digital market. He said 'Initiatives like ONDC are actively bridging this gap, providing small businesses with an expansive digital marketplace and enhanced access to formal financial services'. He also noted that stronger collaboration among fintechs, policymakers, and digital platforms will be paramount in equipping MSMEs, particularly in deeper markets. As these entrepreneurs show, India's MSMEs are full of potential, but to realize it, they need timely support, better market access, and policies that work for all. (ANI)
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Undergrads' outreach provides self-sufficiency skills for the homeless
Lee washes motorcycles at the transit centre to earn an income. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI, KT GOH/The Star (Above) Residents filling moulds with a soap mixture during the training session in soap-making. A GROUP of second-year communication students from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has taken community outreach to the next level by equipping transit home residents with practical life skills to support independent living. The half-day programme, held in two parts, at the transit centre in Jalan CY Choy, Penang, focused on hands-on training in basic urban farming techniques and soap-making using recovered cooking oil. (Left) USM students teaching urban farming basics to transit centre residents. Other activities included a traditional game-based race, gotong-royong, oral health talk and a lively community celebration.. The occasion was hosted by radio DJ Fara Fauzana, whose lively and engaging presence elevated the mood of participants. Project adviser Prof Dr Jamilah Ahmad said the project was part of the students' coursework to shape them into socially responsible graduates, while the activities were designed to equip the residents with practical life skills they could use when they leave the centre. Eighty residents also learned to prepare nutritious meals using common household ingredients. They were guided too on basic hygiene and self-care which are crucial elements in supporting their transition back into society. The outreach was implemented under the university's Service Learning Malaysia – University for Society (Sulam) platform and supported by National Cancer Society Malaysia (northern region), the School of Biological Sciences USM and the Northeast District Health Office. USM School of Communica-tion undergraduate programme chairman Dr Suriati Saad and the transit centre's general manager Nazatulwanis Mohd Khorish were also present, lending support and encouragement to the students and participants. According to Nazatulwanis, the transit centre has a capacity for 88 residents, with separate dormitories for men, women and the disabled. It also has facilities like laundry, a cafe and a community centre. 'The centre is just a temporary shelter, not a long-term home, and residents can stay for a maximum of two weeks, with the possibility of extensions depending on individual circumstances. 'We also work closely together with more than 400 non- governmental organisations, companies and institutions to help provide the residents with food and other needs,' she said. Penang social development, welfare, and non-Islamic affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the programme highlighted USM's continued efforts to nurture socially responsible graduates and promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through direct community involvement. In her address, Lim commended the students' efforts and highlighted the transformative power of collaborative outreach. '(Helping) the residents build their confidence and motivation to rejoin society is a noble achievement. 'This proves that unified efforts between institutions and communities drive meaningful change,' Lim noted.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Taylor's scales ESG across 10 regional schools and campuses
SUBANG JAYA: Taylor's Education Group (TEG) has institutionalised environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across its three higher education institutions and seven international schools in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. Chairman Datuk Loy Teik Ngan said this is a coordinated, group-wide push towards climate-conscious learning and campus operations. 'At Taylor's, we see sustainability as a core responsibility of a future-ready institution. Our efforts are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 on climate action,' he said at the Taylor's ESG Festival, themed 'Embedding Impact: From Action to Culture', held at Taylor's Lakeside Campus. Loy added 'By embedding ESG into our campuses and daily operations, we are well positioned to strengthen our resilience to climate-related risks, contributing to the global net-zero movement, and nurturing a culture of sustainability in our students, staff, and leadership. 'Sustainability isn't just a target to meet; it's a mindset we nurture, a behaviour we model, and a culture we live every day. Our goal is not just to create sustainable campuses, but to inspire a generation that sees sustainability as second nature, wherever they go and whatever they do.' Loy shared that initiatives such as 360-degree leadership appraisals and staff welfare improvements which were initially implemented without an ESG label are now recognised as part of TEG's broader social governance framework. 'We realised many things we were already doing like fostering transparency and launching affordable quality education through Lexel International School are in fact aligned with ESG. Knowing this, we can now be more intentional.' Loy said Lexel within Gamuda Gardens is aimed at providing quality education for families seeking affordable international education. Taylor's ESG strategy focuses on three pillars – delivering measurable impact, building sustainable learning environments, and embedding ESG principles into everyday operations. The first pillar strategy includes the deployment of a centralised impact measurement dashboard, designed to track carbon emissions and sustainability performance across all its institutions. 'This system enables each institution to take ownership of its sustainability journey—using data to guide decisions and track progress,' Loy said, adding that the dashboard also enhances transparency towards the group's net-zero goals and enables student-led research through 'living lab' opportunities. The second pillar focuses on turning campuses into living examples of sustainability, aligning with Unesco's Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework. Key initiatives include the Green Classroom Initiative, featuring recycled furnishings, natural ventilation, energy-efficient lighting and a no single-use plastic policy; the Sustainable Transport Plan, which aims to electrify shuttle fleets by 2030, expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, promote carpooling and optimise commuting schedules using transport data; and Net-Zero Energy Campus pilots, such as British University Vietnam's EDGE-certified buildings alongside, solar panel installations, and Taylor's University's thermal energy storage system to reduce peak energy demand. The third pillar involves operational integration of ESG values through the rollout of a Green Procurement Policy, which prioritises low-emission, ethically sourced products and services. The festival gathered over 230 participants in a dynamic celebration of climate action, featuring corporate sustainability leaders, student-led initiatives, and social enterprises – marking a bold step in embedding ESG into campus culture and inspiring the next generation of changemakers across Southeast Asia.
The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
Johor initiative empowers eco-warriors of the future
A grassroots initiative championing recycling and low-carbon living has engaged more than 500,000 Johor students since its inception 12 years ago. Iskandar Malaysia Ecolife Challenge (IMELC), launched in 2013 by Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) and Johor Education Department (JPNJ), fosters hands-on sustainability education, covering recycling, energy audits and water conservation. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) senior lecturer in innovative science and mathematics education Dr Nina Diana Nawi said a dedicated recycling module has been a core element of IMELC's low-carbon education since 2015. 'This module promotes the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle), while integrating practical mathematics and science learning, such as weighing recyclable materials and calculating decimal values,' she told StarMetro. This approach, she said, connected textbook knowledge with real-world environmental practices, boosting both awareness and analytical skills in young students. 'Since its rollout, primary schools across Johor have embraced the module. 'Many have set up internal recycling systems, not only fostering daily sustainable habits but also generating income through the sale of recyclables. 'With support from parent-teacher associations, teachers and local communities, some schools have managed to run structured and consistent recycling initiatives.' Even used cooking oil was now collected, she said, with some alumni entrepreneurs donating to their former schools. Between 2015 and 2024, IMELC recorded over 2.7 million units of recycled items including paper, plastic bottles, aluminium and textiles, contributed by students, their families and local communities. Nina recounted the example of one student who, upon noticing a discarded aluminium can at a restaurant, had sought permission to take it to school for recycling. 'This demonstrates how values instilled at school are carried into daily life. 'These children become sustainability ambassadors who can explain waste management, recycling categories and environmental responsibility to the public. 'Rising urban waste, climate concerns and critically full landfills prompted development of the recycling module because we need impactful education at grassroots level to drive behavioural change.' The module also aligns with Johor Sustainability Education Action Plan 2025 and supports global frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Iskandar Malaysia Climate Action Plan 2030. IMELC efforts are bolstered by industry support, notably from SWM Environment, which conducts school outreach on proper waste segregation. Most collected items include paper, cardboard, plastics and used cooking oil, with SJKC Foon Yew 2, SJKC Kuo Kuang 2, SJKC Masai and SK Simpang Rengam among the top performers. 'IMELC has also rolled out complementary modules such as 'Say No to Single-Use Plastics' campaign in 2023, which includes awareness booklets, webinars and policies in selected schools to reduce plastic straw and packaging usage,' she said. Another key initiative, she added, was the composting module teaching students to convert food waste into organic fertiliser, which had led to community gardens in several schools. 'This year, we have upgraded our online platform with updated educational resources and interactive tools, while selected teachers can also visit recycling facilities for first-hand exposure to waste industry operations. 'IMELC is not just about teaching recycling, it is about empowering a generation to act for our planet's future,' Nina said.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Science
- Euronews
Sustainable technology innovations awarded at Young Inventors Prize
Ten young inventors have been awarded for developing technologies that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with top honours awarded for innovations in rare earth recycling, food preservation, and carbon capture. At a ceremony held in Reykjavík, Iceland, the European Patent Office (EPO) announced the winners of the 2025 Young Inventors Prize special prizes. This year's selected inventors, called 'Tomorrow Shapers,' were selected from more than 450 international applicants, all of whom were aged 30 and under. While ten inventors or teams received recognition from the EPO for their technologies, three received special awards — World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians — and one was selected as the People's Choice through an online public vote. Euronews spoke to the winners of the special prizes about their inventions. Capturing carbon emissions and redefining fashion The Nature Guardians prize went to US scientists and twin sisters Neeka and Leila Mashouf, whose invention converts carbon dioxide into cellulose-based fibres — offering a sustainable alternative to conventional textiles. The textile industry is responsible for 8% of CO2 emissions worldwide. Their company, Rubi, uses a proprietary enzymatic process that mimics the natural way trees absorb CO2 but without the land or water demands of harvesting forests or growing cotton. "A tree breathes CO2. It starts as a seed and is able to use this carbon to grow its trunk, branches and leaves. We essentially mimic this process, taking carbon and making these essential materials — but without the need to cut down trees," Neeka Mashouf told Euronews. Biodegradable sachet to combat food waste The Community Healers award went to Ugandan entrepreneurs Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita, who developed a biodegradable sachet that extends the shelf life of fruit. Food waste is responsible for 10% of CO2 emissions, according to the FAO. Drawing from their backgrounds in farming communities, the two developed a sachet made from plant-based compounds that slows the ripening of fruit, extending shelf life by up to 30 days. "Karpolax is essentially a sachet that we place in fruit crates during storage or delivery. It releases an active substance that inhibits the phospholipase D enzyme responsible for the senescence or deterioration of fruit membranes," Namboozo told Euronews. Recycling rare earths Marie Perrin, a French-US chemist, won the World Builders prize for developing a process for recycling the rare earths found in electronic waste. Rare earths are a family of 17 elements on the periodic table, such as neodymium and europium, which are used to build our telephones and computers, as well as wind turbines and electric cars. China has achieved a virtual monopoly in the exploitation and production of rare earths. Perrin's innovation, a novel process to recover the rare earth element europium from discarded fluorescent lamps, eliminates the environmental damage typically caused by traditional mining. "Their production through mining poses major geopolitical and environmental problems. So recycling is something of a magic bullet, both in terms of geopolitics and environmental impact", Perrin told Euronews. Smart food label The People's Choice prize went to a team of Spanish researchers — Pilar Granado, Pablo Sosa Domínguez and Luis Chimeno The trio developed a biodegradable label to place on food that changes colour when it comes into contact with bacteria. It can be used to indicate in real time whether a food item has expired, thereby preventing food poisoning and wastage. Their innovation is already on the market and could help reduce Europe's staggering 59 million tonnes of food waste annually. Chimeno described the win as "a recognition of our path," noting that it affirmed the team's belief in the power of everyday solutions.
