On January 21, 2015, the MIT-UTM Malaysia Sustainable Cities Program (MSCP) hosted a Gala Dinner at the Royale Chulan in Kuala Lumpur.  The event was attended by Professor Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid, Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, Professor Dato Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Professor Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid bin Omar, Vice Chancellor of UTM, local government officials, UTM and MIT faculty, the MSCP scholars and MSCP practicum students.  Professor Mohd. Hamdan bin Ahmad, Co-Director of MSCP, provided a warm welcome and presented a video on the program.  Professor Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid, who is renown for his work in science governance at the national and international level and was recently awarded the prestigious Zayed International Prize for Environment, gave the keynote speech.  He spoke about the numerous environmental challenges facing the country including biodiversity loss and climate change and the role of science, technology and innovation as an engine for sustainable development.   This was followed by a talk by Professor Lawrence Susskind, Ford Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at MIT.  Professor Susskind drew from his work to communicate the power of consensus building approaches in resolving seemingly intractable sustainability issues.  The Gala celebrated the end of the 2015 Practicum and provided a farewell to the MSCP scholars who will be arriving at MIT in February.