We’ve started 2025 with a massive accolade after QIU was named as Green University of the Year at the International Conference on Sustainable Globalisation (ICSG) Global Sustainability Awards!
The prestigious award was conferred at a grand ceremony in Colombo, Sri Lanka, after we were shortlisted from over 200 other entries coming from around the world.
On hand to receive the award was Chief Operating Officer Nicholas Goh, who also won the Global Sustainability Lifetime Special Achievement Award from Mr M. K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Sustainable Development Council Chairman and Secretary, Ministry of Finance (Planning and Economic Development).
The ICSG Global Sustainability Awards 2025 celebrate excellence in sustainable practices across businesses, industries, and cities worldwide. These awards honour outstanding achievements that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous world.
Organizations from diverse sectors are invited to participate and showcase their commitment to sustainability, innovation, and environmental responsibility. This prestigious event offers a platform to recognize leaders in sustainable governance, market reach, environmental practices, corporate social responsibility, and financial results.
Submissions were reviewed and evaluated by a panel of experts, mayors, university leaders, CEOs, Olympians and entrepreneurs from the US, Russia, India, Germany, Croatia, Israel and Italy.
Our submission centred around our impactful green initiatives, research, and education, which has established us as a pioneer in creating sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and the community.
Here are some of the initiatives that landed us the award:
Research Contributions to Environmental Sustainability
- Bamboo for Carbon Reduction and Land Rehabilitation
QIU collaborates with MGTC and Hi-Arc Technologies to develop bamboo tissue-cultured plantlets for biofuel production. In partnership with Sarawak’s government, this initiative rehabilitates degraded timberlands, supports carbon emission reductions, and offers sustainable alternatives to timber-based industries. - Eco-Brick Project: Repurposing Plastic Waste
Addressing the global plastic crisis, QIU innovatively converts discarded plastics into eco-bricks for construction and landscaping purposes. This project showcases a scalable, sustainable solution for reducing landfill waste. - Phytoremediation Using Sunflowers
QIU uses sunflowers to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soils from abandoned mines. This green, cost-effective technique mitigates pollution caused by acid mine drainage, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can tackle industrial environmental damage. - Sustainable Agriculture with Bentong Ginger Micropropagation
Through advanced micropropagation, QIU supports sustainable farming practices for the prized Bentong ginger crop. This approach minimizes environmental degradation by reducing reliance on traditional land-intensive methods and preserving biodiversity
Community-Based Green Initiatives
- Treevolution@QIU
QIU’s flagship conservation project engages students, staff, and community members in urban greening efforts. Activities include tree planting, park clean-ups, and landscaping public spaces in Ipoh, fostering environmental stewardship and shared responsibility. - Workshops on Sustainable Practices
The university organises workshops on sustainable farming, eco-friendly lifestyles, and climate resilience, targeting underserved communities to amplify the impact of green education. - Public Engagement Through Sustainability Campaigns
From waste reduction drives to awareness campaigns about climate change, QIU integrates environmental education into community outreach. This ensures that the principles of sustainability are shared with wider audiences beyond the university.
QIU also makes sustainability an integral part of its curriculum, teaching SDGs as a core subject to instill environmental consciousness in all students. By equipping future leaders with the knowledge and tools to address ecological challenges, QIU ensures that its green vision extends beyond its campus.
We’re immensely proud of our sustainability efforts, which have also garnered us the FEE EcoCampus Bronze Award from WWF-Malaysia.
Congratulations to everyone in the QIU family who have made this possible. Teamwork makes the dream work!
