Cluster SDG 1–3 — Human Well-Being, Poverty Eradication & Healthy Communities

Building strong, resilient, and equitable societies

This cluster focuses on poverty reduction, education equity, food security, mental health, health innovation, and community well-being. Research here supports community empowerment, public health interventions and policies for poverty alleviation.
Anchored Faculties and their research unit, group, cluster and centers:

1. Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
   
2. Faculty of Psychology & Social Work
   
3. Faculty of Business, Economics & Accountancy
   
4. Faculty of Education & Sports Studies
   

This cluster strengthens evidence-based planning for social well-being, public health resilience and poverty alleviation across Sabah.

Cluster SDG 4–6 — Quality Education, Water Security & Sustainable Living

Empowering Communities Through Education, Water Access and Environmental Health

This cluster advances sustainable education, digital learning inclusion, indigenous pedagogy, water resource management, WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene), and environmental quality.
Anchored Faculties and their research unit, group, cluster and centers:

1. Faculty of Science & Technology
   
2. Faculty of Engineering
   
3. Faculty of Computing & Informatics
   
4. Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences
   

This cluster enhances water sustainability, environmental health, and lifelong learning access—especially in rural and indigenous communities.

Cluster SDG 7–9 — Green Technology, Smart Systems & Sustainable Economy

Advancing Renewable Energy, Innovation & Technological Development

This cluster focuses on renewable energy, nuclear science for environmental protection, smart-city systems, green engineering solutions, sustainable finance, and digital innovation for economic resilience.
Anchored Faculties and their research unit, group, cluster and centers:

1. Faculty of Engineering
   
2. Faculty of Computing & Informatics
   
3. Faculty of Science & Technology
   
4. Labuan Faculty of International Finance
   
5. Faculty of Business, Economics & Accountancy
   

This cluster enables UMS to contribute to Sabah’s low-carbon transition, digital transformation and green economic growth.

Cluster SDG 10–12 — Inclusive Growth, Responsible Consumption & Circular Economy

Building Sustainable Socio-Economic Systems and Resource Efficiency

This cluster focuses on renewable energy, nuclear science for environmental protection, smart-city systems, green engineering solutions, sustainable finance, and digital innovation for economic resilience.
Anchored Faculties and their research unit, group, cluster and centers:

1. Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
   
2. Faculty of Business, Economics & Accountancy
   
3. Faculty of Food Science & Nutrition
   
4. Faculty of Psychology & Social Work
   
5. Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture
   Faculty of Engineering
   
6. Faculty of Computing & Informatics
   
7. Faculty of Engineering
   

This cluster accelerates research that reduces waste, supports sustainable consumption and builds inclusive economic systems.

Cluster SDG 13–15 — Climate Action, Biodiversity Conservation & Ecosystem Resilience

Protecting Forests, Oceans & Natural Heritage Through Science

UMS is globally recognised for its ecological and conservation research. Cluster 5 unites the university’s strongest scientific units in biodiversity, climate adaptation and ecosystem protection.
Anchored Faculties and their research unit, group, cluster and centers:

1. Institute for Tropical Biology & Conservation
   
2. Borneo Marine Research Institute
   
3. Biotechnology Research Institute
   
4. Faculty of Tropical Forestry
   

This cluster positions UMS as a regional leader in climate action science and biodiversity protection.

Cluster SDG 16–17 — Governance, Partnerships & Peaceful Societies

Strengthening Institutions Through Collaboration, Policy & Knowledge Exchange

This cluster focuses on governance, policy, public administration, indigenous rights, diplomacy, cultural preservation, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Anchored Faculties and their research unit, group, cluster and centers:

1. Faculty of Business, Economics & Accountancy
   
2. Borneo Institute for Indigenous Studies
   
3. Academy of Arts & Creative Technology
   
4. Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities
   
5. Faculty of Islamic Studies
   

This cluster strengthens governance, peace, partnerships, and cultural continuity across Sabah and Southeast Asia.

UMS: Research that Shapes a Sustainable Tomorrow

The UMS SDG Research Clusters unify the strengths of faculties, institutes, centres, and research units to produce knowledge that protects Borneo’s ecosystems, empowers communities, and strengthens governance. Together, they make UMS a premier hub for sustainability-driven research—leading Borneo and contributing to global sustainable development.