Our Sustainability Vision: A Greener, Smarter, More Resilient UMS

UMS envisions a thriving EcoCampus that models responsible stewardship, ethical governance, and transformative education. This vision is supported by robust structures such as the UMS Sustainability, SDG & ESG Strategic Committee (JKSSSE-UMS), the Ecocampus Management Centre and the Student Sustainability Club, which collectively ensure that sustainability principles are systematically integrated into academic programmes, campus operations, and student engagement. Through climate action, renewable energy initiatives, circular waste management, green procurement, and inclusive governance, UMS works to strengthen its environmental performance while fostering a culture of shared responsibility.

Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development

UMS actively cultivates partnerships with leading international organisations, NGOs, government agencies and research institutions to advance SDG 17—Partnerships for the Goals. These collaborations amplify UMS’s impact across climate science, marine conservation, health, social development, and open education. Partnerships with WWF-Malaysia support marine protected areas and climate-risk studies; UNEP and UN-Habitat enhance environmental governance and sanitation innovation; UNICEF advances child-centred disaster education and climate research; UNESCO strengthens open learning ecosystems and cultural heritage conservation; CTI-CFF drives sustainable ocean governance; WorldFish expands climate-adaptive aquaculture; and WHO broadens research collaboration on zoonotic malaria and regional health security. Together, these networks position UMS as a sustainability hub bridging science, policy, and community action across Borneo and beyond.

Strong Governance for a Sustainable Future

To ensure long-term success, UMS has established a comprehensive system of sustainability governance supported by policies that promote responsible operations, ethical practices and green transformation. Key policies include the UMS Sustainability and Climate Action Policy, Sustainable Energy Management Policy, Sustainable Waste Management Policy, Green Procurement Policy, Sustainable Investment Policy, Occupational Safety and Health Management Policy, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. Through these frameworks, UMS drives continuous improvement in environmental performance, procurement practices, energy efficiency, and community engagement, ensuring that sustainability principles guide every facet of university management.

Empowering People, Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Communities

UMS places sustainability at the core of its academic identity, integrating SDG values into curricula, research priorities, and community outreach. Faculties and research institutes lead innovative work in climate science, biodiversity, renewable energy, marine conservation, forestry, aquaculture, and social development. Living Labs across campus and field sites provide students with hands-on exposure to real-world sustainability challenges, while community programmes foster environmental awareness, cultural resilience, and adaptive capacity. Through open educational resources (OER/iOER), student clubs and research-led outreach, UMS nurtures future leaders equipped to drive sustainable development at local, national and global scales.

Towards a Climate-Resilient, Sustainable UMS

UMS is committed to long-term climate resilience and enhanced sustainability performance, aligning its strategies with national priorities, Sabah’s development agenda and global SDG frameworks. As the “Green University of the Borneo Ecosystem,” UMS continues to innovate in energy transition, nature-based solutions, sustainable urban planning, cultural preservation, and inclusive education. By empowering students, staff and communities, UMS aspires to become a model of sustainable development for universities in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region.