MANAGEMENT AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (MSU), in collaboration with Times Higher Education (THE), organised the SDG-ESG Synergy Symposium: “Leading Change for People, Planet and Prosperity” on Sept 3 and 4 at the Performing Arts Theatre (PAT), MSU main campus.
The two-day symposium brought together leaders and experts from higher education institutions, local and international, the government, industry and stakeholders to discuss how the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles can collectively drive meaningful and sustainable change.
The symposium also addressed the growing demand for ESG-related competencies and the role of universities and industries in preparing graduates for an increasingly sustainability-focused workplace.
The university’s commitment was reflected in 950 documented SDG-related initiatives carried out between 2022 and 2025, including 81 international projects and 92,000 community engagements.
Through its Community Outreach Programme (COP), it supported 2,408 families from 2023 to 2025 and continues to provide RM50mil in scholarships annually through Yayasan MSU to widen access to quality education.
The university’s community efforts also include its Covid-19 vaccination programme, which reached more than 30,000 people in 2021.
MSU president and founder Prof Tan Sri Datuk Wira Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid officiated the symposium. Also in attendance was the university’s pro-chancellor, Prof Emeritus Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang, who contributed to a session focusing on governance for impact.
Other speakers include Times Higher Education Asia-Pacific (APAC) region president Lim Mei Mei; the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry’s (MITI) industry environmental, social and governance (ESG) division director Shireen Jasmin Ali; Affin Group strategy and operations managing director Jozaimah Johan Ali; the University of Manchester social responsibility and civic engagement executive director Dr Julian Skyrme; and Western Sydney University pro vice-chancellor Prof Dr Amir Mahmood.
MSU research vice president Prof Dr Norfilza Mohd Mokhtar and its industry linkages and entrepreneurship senior vice president Prof Dr Abdul Jalil Ghazali also contributed to the symposium. They were joined by sustainability and governance experts from Universiti Sains Malaysia, the health sector and local government.
Centred on the sub-themes of ESG practices, environmental impact, social impact and governance impact, the programme comprises governance-for-impact sessions, sustainability plenaries, social and environmental impact segments and roundtable discussions.
The symposium draws on MSU’s focus on holistic education, applied research, industry engagement, entrepreneurship and international collaboration.
The university recently rose to 88th place worldwide in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026, its highest position to date.
It ranked third globally for SDG 5 on Gender Equality, 29th for SDG 4 on Quality Education, 39th for SDG 1 on No Poverty and 66th for SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.
The rankings reflect its teaching, research, institutional practices and community engagement in advancing sustainable development.
Its multidisciplinary learning ecosystem connects academic knowledge with real-world practice, enabling students, researchers and industry partners to explore practical responses to environmental and social challenges while strengthening ethical and responsible decision-making.
MSU’s emphasis on developing balanced, competent and globally minded graduates also supports the symposium’s focus on responsible leadership.
By bringing together perspectives from academia, government and industry, the university continues to encourage innovation, inclusive progress and partnerships that translate sustainability commitments into meaningful impact.
Through the SDG-ESG Synergy Symposium, it reinforces its commitment to sustainability, impactful partnerships and responsible governance, while supporting the global agenda for people, planet and prosperity.
