Future-Ready Through ESG: Driving Sustainable Transformation

Vice Chancellor Office

SEPANG, 21 June – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), through its Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), proudly co-hosted the Future-Ready ESG 2025 Conference alongside Asia e University’s School of Professional and Executive Education Development (SPEED), Intuition Ireland, and the Malaysia Airlines Berhad Academy (MABA). Held at Sama-Sama Hotel KLIA, the conference served as a vibrant platform for dialogue and collaboration among policymakers, academic leaders, corporate stakeholders, and ESG advocates.

Graced by UTM Vice-Chancellor, YBrs . Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, the conference was themed “Local Implementation, Regional Integration, Global Transformation.” It explored how Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles can be deeply embedded into institutional governance, public policy, corporate innovation, and community development.

In his welcoming address, Prof. Dr. Shafry emphasised that ESG should not be treated as a compliance checklist, but as a strategic mindset shaping ethical leadership, long-term planning, and inclusive development. “At UTM, ESG is part of our institutional identity—it shapes how we educate, innovate, and serve,” he remarked. He further highlighted UTM’s commitment to integrating ESG into its curriculum, research, and community engagement, with initiatives led by IPASA in areas such as climate change, water security, and citizen science.

The Vice-Chancellor also echoed the values of Malaysia MADANI, stating that ESG offers a practical framework to uphold sustainability, compassion, respect, and responsibility across generations.

The conference gathered key figures including Her Excellency Orla Tunney, Ambassador of Ireland to Malaysia; Prof. Dr. Noor Raihan Ab Hamid, Vice-Chancellor of Asia e University; Mr. Philip Eden, Executive Vice President of Intuition; and the representative from Special Projects & Project Management Office, Malaysia Airline Berhad Academy (MABA), Ms. Raihani Rahman. It was chaired by Prof. Ts. Dr. Zainura Zainon Noor, underscoring UTM’s role as a national thought leader in ESG innovation and sustainability.

In closing, the UTM Vice Chancellor urged delegates to view ESG as a shared journey: “Let us ensure ESG becomes not just a framework on paper, but a way of thinking, a way of leading, and ultimately, a way of living.”