MIZAN KNOWLEDGE FOR CHANGE (K4C) HUB – K4C REGIONAL COORDINATOR (ASIA PACIFIC)
In 2019, Mizan Research Centre (MRC) has been awarded the status as a Knowledge for Change (K4C) hub under the name Mizan K4C Hub from UNESCO Chair in Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education based in University of Victoria (UVic), Canada and Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), India. The certificate was conferred at UNESCO House, New Delhi, India after three of early MRC members completed their Knowledge for Change (K4C) and Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Mentor Training Program (MTP) Cohort 3, at MS-TCDC, Arusha, Tanzania. The hub status was also awarded based on Two (2) MoU signed by the UNESCO Chair with USIM and civil society organizations partnering in the initiative. The social organizations are Malay Agricultural Settlement of Kampong Bharu, Kuala Lumpur (M.A.S) and Malaysia Youth Council (MBM) for MoU 2019 – 2021 and the International Youth Centre (IYC) and Malaysia Youth Council (MBM) for MoU from 2022 – 2024. The MoU has been the basis for a continous collaboration and partnership of UNESCO Chair, USIM, and civil societies to uphold the importance of academia-community partnership, social empowerment, and community leadership through the philosophy and values of knowledge democracy, knowledge for change (K4C), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The MoU has also marked the efforts of USIM to collaborate with UNESCO and civil organizations to conduct capacity building trainings and activities as well as community researches and publications by sharing its academics roles to work collaboratively and proactively roles with the community. Recently in 2023, after a successful organization of International Residency of K4C MTP by Mizan K4CHub, USIM and International Youth Centre (IYC), the hub has been acknowledged as Asia Pacific Regional K4C Coordinator through a 3 year MoA between USIM and the UNESCO Chair. Mizan K4C Hub currently has more than 10 certified K4C Mentors from academic and social background. The hub is also supported by a comprehensive K4C networking in Malaysia, Asia, and international level.