Introduction

Research Centre for Sustainability Science and Governance (SGK) was created to focus on integrated and transdisciplinary studies related to sustainability issues. The governance system comprising policy, planning legislation and management has been researched to realize the sustainable development concept based on scientific and humanities input, especially in the evaluation of physical ecosystem changes and the impact of human activities on the ecosystem to allow for sustainable management of the environment. The objectives of SGK establishment are:

1. To become a centre of excellence related to transdisciplinary research in sustainability science and governance.

2. To play role as a study centre on policies, theories and management to support sustainable development.

3. To serve as a coordination centre for research and development, capacity building and network and outreach building activities related to science and sustainability governance.

This centre was established to highlight UKMS and LESTARI’S contribution especially in sustainable development. Sustainability science, extensively developed in LESTARI through various core groups, would be more comprehensive if formulated together in a special governance framework for sustainability. At he early stages of its inception, the centre focused on cultivating a Malaysian-styled governance framework of sustainability to be utilised at a various management levels. This Malaysian-styled framework is needed to cater for its multiracial and multireligions community. At the same time, research at the core group level was further enhanced to support the continuous effort towards sustainable development.

The establishment of this centre leads to the training and creating pool of experts who are well-versed in sustainability. Comprehensive sustainability management demands the development of science and applications towards sustainable development. Cooperation in research and joint facilitation of programmes were prominent in LESTARI. Research cooperation towards science and governance for sustainability between LESTARI and various outside parties showed that LESTARI had been singled out by stakeholders beyond UKM.