Weekly-incho
USM & ADRC Team Up for ESG Project
11 August 2023

USM and ARDC sign MoA to collaborate on a joint ESG project. Photo courtesy of Mohd Fairus Md Isa (USM)

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 11: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the Advance Dispute Resolution Centre (ADRC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to collaborate on a joint Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) project here yesterday.

Under this strategic alliance, they will launch an ESG Pioneer Award project to be jointly organised and assessed by them and endorsed by Yayasan Amal Tuan Yang Terutama Pulau Pinang.

In the MoA, USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed signed on behalf of the university while Tan Sri (Dr) Hj Mohd Yussof Latiff, Senior Honorary Advisor of ADRC, signed for the NGO.

The MoA signing was witnessed by ADRC Honorary Advisor Dato’ Seri R. Arunasalam V. Ramasamy and the Director of USM’s Centre for Global Sustainability Studies (CGSS), Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Wira Shafiei. The event also included the presentation of certificates to advisors and subject matter experts related to the project.

The award is to recognise organisations that had made significant contributions to the advancement of sustainable business practices through incorporating ESG factors in their operations and decision-making processes.

Mohd Yussof said the ESG Pioneer Award can serve as a catalyst for promoting sustainable business practices and recognising corporate leadership in this area.

By highlighting best practices of organisations as well as their ESG readiness, he said the award can also encourage more organisations to prioritise sustainability and create a positive impact on society and the environment.

Mohd Yussof, who is also President of the Penang State Goodwill Consultative Council (Muhibbah) in which ADRC is also affiliated, hoped the collaboration would focus on managing the social pillar of ESG and encourage organisations to contribute towards the social-related project on a long-term basis.

In his remarks, Abdul Rahman hoped that the MoA would encourage industries to support the Sustainable Development Goals (ADG) agenda and domestic policies through their involvement and adherence to ESG standards.

He also hoped that it will strengthen networking between USM and industries through education, research, innovation, publications, consultation and training besides producing an ESG working framework for various industrial sectors.