On 15th May 2025, the Universiti Malaya Sustainable Development Centre (UMSDC), in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) – Ridge View Residential College (RVRC), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and InvestKL, successfully organized Colloquium 2025: Sustainability in Malaysia and Singapore: Localizing the SDGs through Internationalization and Partnerships. This event brought together 20 students from UM and 32 first-year undergraduate students from NUS, representing diverse academic backgrounds, to foster meaningful dialogues on sustainability and the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The colloquium opened with a series of introductory presentations, each offering valuable insights into the participating organizations' roles in advancing sustainability. Professor Dr. Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International) at UM, set the tone by showcasing UM’s background and sustainability initiatives. Mr. Kannan Nair, Manager of Networks Program at SDSN, elaborated on the network's efforts to mobilize global solutions for sustainable development. Representing InvestKL, Mr. Muizzudin Mohd Farid shared insights into the role of investment in fostering sustainable economic growth, while Dr. Eunice Ng from RVRC, accompanied by NUS student presenters Mr. Deng Haofu and Ms. Tay Shu Sui, highlighted the college’s community-focused sustainability programs.
A thought-provoking panel discussion followed, themed “Sustainability in Malaysia and Singapore: Localizing the SDGs through Internationalisation and Partnerships.” The panel featured esteemed speakers including Associate Professor Dr. Zeeda Fatimah Mohamad, Director of UMSDC; Ms. Sherlina Kaur, Education Manager at SDG Academy under SDSN; and Mr. Lim Cheng Puay, Fellow at RVRC NUS. They shared their perspectives on the importance of regional collaboration, internationalization, and engaging partnerships to address sustainability challenges in both countries.
Participants then divided into breakout discussion groups to delve deeper into shared experiences and challenges in implementing the SDGs. Discussions explored key topics such as leveraging each country’s strengths in addressing local sustainability issues, overcoming unique obstacles to SDG implementation, identifying critical stakeholders, and empowering youth as agents of change. Students from Malaysia and Singapore brought their lived experiences and local insights to these discussions, enriching the dialogue with diverse perspectives.
The colloquium concluded with a shared commitment to building stronger cross-border partnerships and enhancing youth engagement in sustainability efforts. This event marked the beginning of what is hoped to be a long-term collaboration between UMSDC, NUS, SDSN, and InvestKL, furthering the SDGs through knowledge exchange and partnership-driven initiatives.
