Key Collaboration Areas

UMS collaborates with a broad ecosystem of partners to advance sustainability in diverse fields including biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, blue economy, food security, clean water, climate resilience, and community development. These partnerships strengthen UMS’s role as a catalyst for high-impact research, capacity building, youth leadership, and policy contributions that support Malaysia’s national development goals and Borneo’s ecological future.

1. Environmental Conservation & Biodiversity Protection

Guarding Nature, Sustaining Borneo

UMS works closely with conservation-focused NGOs and industry partners to protect Sabah’s rich natural heritage:

1. - WWF-Malaysia – Joint activities on wildlife conservation, anti-poaching awareness, community stewardship and forest/wetland protection.
   
2. - IUCN, SEARRP, WorldFish & CTI-CFF– Collaborative research on biodiversity, eco-hydrology, sustainable fisheries and marine resilience.
   
3. - Sabah Parks & Sabah Forestry Department – Long-term partnerships supporting protected area management, species conservation and ecological restoration.
   
4. - The Turtle Sustainability & Edu-Tourism Project – A signature collaboration with Sabah Parks and FSSK to protect marine turtles while supporting sustainable tourism in Semporna.
   
5. - Seaweed Restoration Programme with Suria Group Sdn. Bhd. -Strengthening blue carbon ecosystems and supporting climate-resilient coastal communities.
   

These collaborations reinforce UMS’s position as a leader in biodiversity research and conservation science — safeguarding Borneo’s ecosystems while empowering communities.

2. Blue Economy & Marine Sustainability

Protecting Our Oceans, Sustaining Coastal Futures.

Through the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) and key NGOs/industry partners, UMS advances marine conservation, ocean health, and sustainable aquaculture:

1. - Coral reef restoration and coastal rehabilitation with local communities and NGOs
   
2. - Sustainable aquaculture innovation with industrial partners
3. - Marine pollution monitoring and ocean literacy programmes
   
4. - International collaborations under the UN Decade of Ocean Science
   

Partners include WorldFish, SEAFDEC, local marine NGOs, and Sabah maritime agencies.

3. Renewable Energy & Low-Carbon Innovation

Innovating Today for a Low-Carbon Tomorrow.

To accelerate Sabah’s energy transition, UMS works with private sector partners and NGOs to scale up renewable energy and green technologies:

1. - Solar Energy Management System– (with Quantum Sustainable Energy)
   
2. - Green campus solutions – with industry collaborators in energy auditing, efficiency management, and decarbonisation
3. - ATOM@UMS with Department of Atomic Energy Malaysia – – knowledge-sharing programmes on nuclear science for environmental protection
   
4. - Joint research –on low-carbon transport systems, waste-to-energy technologies, and sustainable built environments
   

These partnerships support SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), positioning UMS as a model green campus.

4. Community Empowerment & Inclusive Development

Uplifting People, Strengthening Futures

UMS collaborates with NGOs and social organisations to uplift communities, especially rural and indigenous groups:

1. -UNICEF Malaysia – – Child-friendly schools, youth leadership, and community development programmes
   
2. - DaMaI Eco-Tourism & Knowledge Transfer Programme – Empowering indigenous communities through tourism, environmental education, and sustainable livelihoods
   
3. - MENITI & SULAM programmes – –Community outreach and academic service learning with NGOs and rural schools
   
4. - Clean water projects, food security initiatives, and SDG-aligned community service
   

These initiatives create meaningful social impact while providing students with experiential and service-based learning opportunities.

5. Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Industry Readiness

Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Innovation

UMS partners with industry players to foster future-ready talent, green entrepreneurship, and digital innovation:

1. – Collaboration with NCT Group, Intel Malaysia, Mindef, and local startups for applied research, IoT-based environmental solutions, and Industry 4.0 projects
   
2. – Blue Economy entrepreneurship through UMS business incubators
   
3. -Joint training, internship pathways, and certification-based upskilling programmes (Cisco, Huawei, AWS, Microsoft, Fortinet, etc.)
   
4. -Industry-funded student innovation challenges and sustainability competitions
   

These collaborations ensure that UMS students and researchers gain real-world experience while contributing to practical, scalable solutions.

Looking Ahead: Co-Creating a Sustainable Future

Through its sustainability partnerships with industry and NGOs, UMS is building pathways towards a greener, more resilient, and more inclusive Sabah. The university welcomes new collaborations that support innovation, safeguard natural resources, and empower communities.

By working together, we can create a future where people and nature thrive — one partnership at a time.