22 July 2021

Introducing the AUN Thematic Network Series #13 – AUN-SCUD

By
Noppanun Sookping
AUN Programme Officer;

ASEAN Sustainable City and Urban Development (AUN-SCUD) is the first platform for of ASEAN University Network. (AUN) institutional members to collaborate and share knowledge focused on sustainable city and urban development studies.

Officially established due to the initiative of the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Development of Universitas Indonesia and later endorsed by the 33rd AUN Board of Trustees Meeting in 2017, AUN-SCUD core members consist of 30 AUN Universities Members. Associate Professor Dr Mohammed Ali Berawi was elected as the executive director of AUN SCUD. The network's mission is to bridge all stakeholders, including academic, industry, and government in ASEAN countries, to create positive changes towards the city and urban sustainability. To materialize this goal to reality, AUN-SCUD upholds the following objectives:

  • To strengthen the network of experts, scholars, and policymakers in sustainable city and urban development.
  • To promote collaborative study, research, and educational programs in sustainability and urban development in the ASEAN region.
  • To increase sustainability awareness and enhance regional cooperation that will lead to better living and sustainable society.

What exactly are the activities run by AUN-SCUD? The sub-network fosters sustainable city and urban development on the one hand through research projects. Five clusters of the network's research subject areas include:

  1. Sustainable Infrastructure
  2. Sustainable Urban Development
  3. Sustainable Economy
  4. Sustainable Society
  5. Smart City

Apart from research projects, AUN-SCUD operates through the hosting of conferences and capacity-building activities. The AUN-SCUD Annual Meeting is an annual internal meeting of the network's university members to discuss AUN-SCUD-related activities. The location and organizer of each year's meeting are rotated between AUN-SCUD University Members.

In addition to the AUN-SCUD Annual Meeting, the network organizes annually a two-day The Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Development (CSID) AUN-SCUD International Conference intending to promote awareness of sustainability in every aspect of decision making. The conference is organized in rotation between AUN-SCUD University Members as well, with the participation of scholars, policymakers, businesses, NGOs, and civil society interested in sustainable city and urban development. Academics and participants are encouraged to submit their research studies in the related fields. The event is an excellent opportunity for their works to be peer-reviewed and submitted to notable academic journals and publications.

Simultaneously, the AUN-SCUD Seminar and Workshop is held with the CSID AUN-SCUD International Conference or at other times once a year. The three-day Seminar and Workshop is a capacity-building event attended by professionals, policymakers, and academics under the theme covering three main subject areas: (1) sustainable city, (2) urban development, and (3) sustainable infrastructure.

In the long run, AUN-SCUD continues to flourish in its mission to promote Sustainable City and Urban Development studies as well as best practices in the ASEAN region. With the running of activities ranging from collaborative research projects to hosting of conferences and capacity building events, AUN-SCUD is establishing connections with stakeholders, including academic, industry, and government from ASEAN countries, to make positive changes towards the city and urban sustainability.

Contact Information

In the next article, we will take a look at AUN-UIE, a sub-thematic network dedicated to strengthening and leveraging the innovative capacity of universities in the ASEAN region.