The APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (SDG4GC) Program 2025 concluded on August 29 with a dynamic final pitching competition, marking the end of a transformative three-month journey that began on June 2. Conducted in a hybrid format, the program brought together 78 students from 17 universities across 19 economies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hosted jointly by Chulalongkorn University and Universiti Malaya, in collaboration with the United Nations, this year’s program centered around the theme “Diversity and Inclusivity – Actions for Sustainability.”
Students, grouped in 10 teams with a mentor each, engaged in 13 online lectures and an immersion onsite program from July 19 to 28, held at either in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, where they visited local community leaders and facilities, cultural institutions, recycling centers, sustainable farms, and NGOs addressing various aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The pitching competition on August 29 showcased the student teams presenting innovative social projects aligned with the SDGs. The winning team, Team 1, impressed judges with their proposal “CareVend” — a reversible vending machine that accepts recyclable plastic waste in exchange for menstrual products. The project not only promotes environmental sustainability but also addresses menstrual equity for low-income women in semi-urban areas.
The winning team comprised Thayananth A/L Kumaresan (Universiti Malaya), Liu Quangao (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences), Kanchanabhadra Sai-Sook (Chulalongkorn University), Ananya Varshney (Nanyang Technological University), Han Xiao (The Chinese University of Hong Kong), and Zhi Ying Tan (National University of Singapore), and had the mentorship of Dr. Jaime Jayapalan (Universiti Malaya).
“This program was a well-structured and enriching journey, beginning with foundational lectures and culminating in the shared experience of practical immersion. I found the experience deeply rewarding. It sharpened my skills in teamwork, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving, while reaffirming the importance of collaboration in regional challenges.” said Zhi Ying Tan.
As a reward, the winning team will participate in the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2026, organized by UN ESCAP, which will be held from February 24 to 27, 2026.
The SDG4GC program, since its launch in 2023, is known for its hands-on, intercultural approach, drawing on multiple disciplines—social, intellectual, emotional, and economic—to foster global citizenship. This year, students also participated in workshops on digital transformation and inclusive development at the UN Conference Center, convened by Chulalongkorn University, UN ESCAP, UNDP, and Microsoft.
Dr. Palanee Ammaranond, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University, praised the participants for their empathy and commitment, stating, “Throughout this journey, you have inspired one another and discovered that knowledge and solutions are co-created by all members of society—united by empathy and a commitment to building a more inclusive world.”
Dr. Yvonne Lim, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya, added:
“Over the past three months, this program has brought together passionate young minds, experienced mentors, and committed institutions from across the Asia-Pacific region. United by a shared purpose, they have come together to understand, reflect upon, and take action on the urgent challenges posed by the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Through a hybrid format that included both online and on-site components, APRU SDG4GC 2025 empowered the next generation of leaders to address global challenges with creativity, compassion, and collaboration.