The Sustainability Design Challenge 2024 (SDC2024) officially kicked off at Galeri, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, from August 19–22, 2024, bringing together 41 students across Pre-University, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate levels to develop innovative solutions to sustainability challenges. Organized by UNIMAS in collaboration with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, the event features keynote sessions by experts in energy and engineering, as well as evaluations by a judging panel comprising industry leaders and academic specialists. Supported by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak, LONGi, and Yayasan Sarawak, SDC2024 aims to inspire creative ideas and drive impactful sustainable innovation.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are often mistaken as focusing solely on environmental issues, but according to Dr. Florianna Lendai Michael Mulok, Head Research Fellow at the Institute of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (ISuRE), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), ESG encompasses a much broader scope that includes social responsibility and ethical governance. In an exclusive interview with TVS, she explained that the social dimension covers how companies treat stakeholders, including ensuring suppliers share the same values, prioritising worker safety and health, and contributing through CSR initiatives. Dr. Florianna highlighted that global investors are increasingly drawn to companies with strong ESG performance, especially amid rising sustainability regulations such as those introduced by the European Union. She added that public awareness is also growing, with consumers now avoiding businesses tied to unethical practices or conflict. As ESG continues to shape investor expectations and consumer behaviour, companies that embrace these principles will enhance their resilience, credibility, and long-term competitiveness.