Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business hosts industry forum on sustainability and innovation

Miri, Sarawak – 27 July 2025 – Curtin University Malaysia’s Faculty of Business marked a significant milestone with the launch of its inaugural Industry Discussion Forum, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and academics for a high-impact dialogue on sustainability, innovation, and global competitiveness.

Held at Curtin Malaysia’s campus in Miri, the event drew participation from major players including Mercure Hotel, ESG Malaysia, the Miri Hotel Association, CROWE Co, the Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Miri City Council. Their real-world insights helped frame critical conversations around sustainable business practices and economic resilience in Sarawak and beyond.

Themed ‘Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Competitiveness,’ the forum was opened by Dr. Muhammad Imran Tanveer Opel and spearheaded by Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor Pauline Ho. Associate Professor Lew Tek Yew, Head of the Faculty’s Department of Management and Marketing, set the stage with opening remarks, followed by a keynote address by Dr. Mike Burbridge from Curtin University Australia, titled ‘Our Sustainable Future’. Dr. Burbridge examined global trends reshaping business sustainability and the imperative for systemic change across industries.

A key highlight was a roundtable discussion addressing the provocative question: ‘Is sustainability a challenge or an opportunity?’. The participants agreed that sustainability must move beyond compliance to become an embedded strategy that fuels innovation, competitiveness, and long-term profitability. Strategies such as energy efficiency, sustainable sourcing, and waste reduction were discussed as both ethical imperatives and business opportunities.

The forum also spotlighted collaborative efforts to align business practices with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), and the national MADANI Economic Framework. These alignments are crucial as Sarawak positions itself as a leader in green growth and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The discussions reinforced three major themes, that is, sustainability as a driver of green economic transformation; academia-industry partnerships as catalysts for innovation; and collective action as the foundation for systemic environmental change.

Notably, several companies expressed interest in forming research collaborations, internship programmes, and co-developing green innovation projects with Curtin Malaysia – further cementing the university’s role as a regional nexus for sustainable development and talent cultivation.

This landmark event not only showcased Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to sustainability and industry engagement but also laid the foundation for an ongoing platform where thought leaders can drive meaningful change in Sarawak’s evolving business landscape.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit its website at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

The inaugural Industry Discussion Forum organised by the Faculty of Business (FOB) successfully brought together key stakeholders from various industries.

Group photo Front row, sixth right – Dr. Mike Burbridge, Prof. Pauline Ho, faculty members and industry partners