How Does QIU Support Sustainable Development? Promoting Environmental Responsibility

Quest International University, founded in 2011 through a partnership between the QI Group and Malaysia's Perak state government, has emerged as a leader in sustainable education. QIU's dedication to environmental stewardship was recently recognized when it received the Green University of the Year honor at the Global Sustainability Awards 2025, marking a major achievement in its sustainability journey.

The university demonstrates a comprehensive and systematic approach to supporting sustainable development through multiple interconnected initiatives and organizational structures. QIU's commitment to sustainable development is deeply embedded in its educational approach.

The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals

In 2019, QIU took a significant step by hosting Fulbright Specialist Nancy Landrum, Ph.D., for six weeks to help integrate the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals into its curriculum. This initiative had three main objectives: training academic staff on sustainable development education, developing sustainability-focused curricula, and establishing a Centre for Social Innovation for global collaboration.

The United Nations' 17 SDGs represent a universal call to action to create a better future by addressing pressing global challenges. These interconnected goals aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity and peace for all by 2030.

Goal No. 1: The first goal, No Poverty, seeks to eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Goal No. 2: Zero Hunger also focuses on ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Goal No. 3: Health is central to sustainable development, with Good Health and Well-Being ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for individuals of all ages.

Goal No. 4: Education is another cornerstone of sustainable progress. Quality Education aims to provide inclusive and equitable access to education while promoting lifelong learning opportunities for everyone.

Goal No. 5: Gender Equality emphasizes empowering women and girls and achieving gender parity across the globe.

Goal No. 6: Access to essential resources is critical for sustainable growth. Clean Water and Sanitation ensure the availability and sustainable management of water resources.

Goal No. 7: Affordable and Clean Energy promotes access to reliable, sustainable, and modern energy sources.

Goal No. 8: Economic development is addressed through Decent Work and Economic Growth, which advocates for inclusive economic growth, productive employment, and decent working conditions for all.

Goal No. 9: Resilient infrastructure and innovation drive sustainable progress, as encapsulated in the Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure goal, which supports industrialization and fosters innovation.

Goal No. 10: Reduced Inequality seeks to minimize disparities in wealth and opportunities within and among countries to promote fairness across nations.

Goal No. 11: Urbanization and environmental sustainability are central to Sustainable Cities and Communities, which encourages making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Goal No. 12: Responsible resource use is critical, as addressed by Responsible Consumption and Production, which promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Goal No. 13: Climate change is a global crisis, and Climate Action calls for urgent measures to mitigate its impacts.

Goal No. 14: The environment remains a focus, with Life Below Water emphasizing the conservation of oceans, seas, and marine resources.

Goal No. 15: Life on Land supports the sustainable management of forests, combats desertification, and halts biodiversity loss.

Goal No. 16: The SDGs also promote societal values of peace and justice. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions advocates for inclusive societies, access to justice, and accountable institutions at all levels.

Goal No. 17: Lastly, Partnerships for the Goals underscores the importance of global collaboration to achieve these ambitious objectives by strengthening partnerships across sectors and borders.

These 17 goals form a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable development. They require a collective effort from governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals worldwide to create a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable future.

How Does QIU Support Sustainable Development?

QIU's vision of "fostering sustainable development values, principles, and practices in society" is supported by a clear mission focusing on three key areas—integrating sustainability in education processes, implementing strategies for sustainable change, and collaborating with all segments of society to achieve the SDGs. This mission is underpinned by core values of integrity, service, sustainability, and leadership, which guide the university's approach to sustainable development.

The university's commitment to diversity and equality is demonstrated through its dedicated subcommittee, which includes representatives from various university departments, including student life, operations, social sciences, human resources, and finance. This diverse representation ensures that sustainability and equality initiatives are implemented across all campus life and operations.

QIU's approach to sustainable development extends beyond administrative structures to include practical, hands-on learning experiences. The university emphasizes experiential learning and real-world applications, ensuring that students don't just learn about sustainability in theory but also understand how to implement sustainable practices in their future careers.

This is supported by state-of-the-art facilities and partnerships with industry leaders, allowing students to engage with current sustainability challenges and solutions. Additionally, QIU encourages student engagement with sustainability through creative projects to nurture the next generation of sustainability leaders.

QIU's sustainability initiatives align with the broader approach of its parent organization, the QI Group, which has demonstrated its commitment to sustainable development through various initiatives. These include the Green Legacy program, which has resulted in more than 25,000 trees being planted in 10 countries over the last three years, and the development of eco-certified resorts like Prana Resort Nandana in Thailand.

The QI Group's global reach and impact on sustainability is facilitated by its strategic organizational structure. Where is the QI Group headquarters? As a Hong Kong-registered multinational, QI Group maintains a dual-headquarters model, with its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong and operational headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This structure has supported the company's expansion from its Far East foundations into diverse markets spanning South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, enabling it to implement sustainability initiatives across multiple regions.

QIU demonstrates a holistic and systematic approach to supporting sustainable development through various initiatives, educates students about sustainability, implements sustainable practices in its operations, engages with the broader community, and maintains transparency through regular reporting. Its comprehensive approach ensures that QIU graduates are well-prepared to contribute to sustainable development in their future careers and communities.

QI Group is helping to cultivate leaders who can address the challenges of tomorrow. Its commitment underscores an important reality: sustainable development is not just a goal but a shared responsibility, one that demands continuous innovation, collaboration, and action. As the world seeks transformative solutions, QIU stands as an example of how education can bridge aspiration and impact, inspiring institutions everywhere to reimagine their role in building a sustainable future.