Building Sustainable Futures Together: ESG Malaysia and First City University College Empower Students Beyond Campus

Group photo with all the attendees during the First City University College's (FCUC) ESG Day celebration at the university's campus in Bandar Utama.

Petaling Jaya, 20 August 2025 - ESG Malaysia proudly participated in the First City University College (FCUC) ESG Day 2025, held on 20th August 2025, with an engaging panel session aimed at empowering students to become active contributors in Malaysia’s sustainability journey.

The session brought together students, faculty members, and FCUC's industry partners to discuss the role of youth and future graduates in shaping ESG policy and corporate responsibilities. Speaking on behalf of ESG Malaysia, Ts. Bryan Paul, Founding and Council Member, emphasised that “youth are not only participants in the ESG movement, but also shapers of it. As future workforce, consumers, and leaders, their expectations and actions will influence how companies and the market behave as well as how policies evolve.”

Representing ESG Malaysia was Ts. Bryan Paul who spoke on the importance of youth in advancing the ESG agenda in the country.

Throughout the discussion, the panel highlighted several key takeaways for students:

• Practical ESG integration on campus looking at waste reduction, removing single use plastics, and energy-saving initiatives to inclusive community-building activities.

• Skills for future ESG leaders which include critical thinking, collaboration, data literacy, and resilience.

• Bridging classroom to community by aligning academic projects and syllabi with real-world ESG challenges, supporting local industries, and creating measurable social and environmental impact.

The panel also explored how universities like FCUC can partner with ESG Malaysia beyond campus walls, through joint research, student-industry collaborations, and community outreach programs. Such initiatives ensure that ESG awareness translates into tangible, measurable outcomes that benefit both society and industry.

Roundtable discussion with FCUC's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Saw Sor Heoh, together with the rest of the academic members and industry partners in forging a meaningful partnership between both parties.

“Universities play a crucial role in preparing an ESG-ready workforce,” Bryan added. “By embedding ESG in curriculum, fostering industry partnerships, and empowering student-led initiatives, institutions like FCUC are future-proofing Malaysia’s sustainability agenda.”

The FCUC ESG Day 2025 reflects the growing momentum among Malaysian universities to engage students in sustainability conversations, aligning education with the nation’s broader aspirations under the 13th Malaysia Plan and global ESG standards.

FCUC's ESG Day Wall Pledge pinning.

As ESG Malaysia continues to collaborate with academic institutions across the country, the commitment remains clear and that is to build a generation of change-makers who can advance Malaysia’s leadership in sustainability across Southeast Asia.

About ESG Malaysia

ESG Malaysia is a leading platform dedicated to advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) adoption across industries in Malaysia and the region. By working closely with government, industry, and community stakeholders, ESG Malaysia drives awareness, builds capacity, and develops frameworks that foster responsible and sustainable growth.

Media Contact:

ESG Malaysia Secretariat

info@esgmalaysia.org.my