SOCIAL scientists from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines gathered in Bangi, Selangor, to present 113 research papers during a three-day Human Ecology International Conference II.
Organised by the Human Ecology Faculty of Universiti Putra Malaysia in collaboration with Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ekologi Manusia of Indonesia’s Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) University and the College of Human Ecology in University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), the conference discussed challenges affecting human well-being.
Themed “Sustaining Human Well-Being”, the panel explored topics including family, youth and child development, community development, poverty and social inclusion, mental and emotional well-being, agriculture and sustainability, consumer issues, value, religion and culture, heritage and music, politics and governance and science and artificial intelligence technology.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the human ecology studies viewed development holistically.
He said it recognised that people’s lives were interconnected across education, healthcare, employment, housing, transportation, technology and the environment.
“The state’s economic strength should not be an end in itself, but should translate into better quality of life, greater opportunities and an environment where individuals and families can thrive.
“This approach also forms the basis of the Second Selangor Plan, which links economic development with human capital, well-being, climate resilience and effective governance,” he said in his speech during the conference’s opening ceremony.
Also present were UPM deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Shamsul Bahri Md Tamrin, UPM Human Ecology Faculty dean Prof Dr Mohamad Fazli Sabri, IPB University Indonesia Social and Human Ecology Faculty representative Dr Lukman Hakim and UPLB College of Human Ecology dean Prof Dr Jennifer Marie S. Amparo.
There was also an exchange of memorandum of understanding between UPM and UPLB, and an announcement on the establishment of Asean Human Ecology Consortium (Ahec).
The consortium was established to provide a regional platform for joint research, student and faculty mobility, publications, policy dialogue, academic collaboration and community engagement among human ecology institutions.
