Collaboration with NGOs for SDGs
SDG 17.2.5
Sunway University collaborates with NGOs to address the SDGs through various initiatives. These include student volunteering programs, research projects, and the creation of educational resources. Together, they aim to drive sustainable development and social impact.
Student Volunteering Programmes
Sunway University students volunteer with NGOs such as the Asian Youth Ambassadors (AYA) to empower underprivileged children through educational and creative programmes. In 2024, the Sunway Student Volunteers’ Community Service Department partnered with AYA to deliver activities that break down barriers to education, foster self-confidence, and inspire a love for learning through The Bright Sparks Project.
A team of five student volunteers facilitated sessions for 17 children, including hands-on science activities such as a plant life cycle workshop with bean sprout experiments, interactive lessons on using lemons to reveal hidden messages, and season-themed English classes supported by animated discussions on weather. These immersive sessions encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and joyful learning, while allowing students to apply their skills in service to the community.
Through this initiative, Sunway University demonstrates how student volunteering in collaboration with NGOs contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
By offering such diverse and immersive activities, the initiative not only nurtures individual talents but also underscores the transformative power of education to uplift communities. Together, let’s continue creating brighter futures and ensuring equal opportunities for every child to thrive.
Research Programme
Sunway University actively collaborates with NGOs to tackle the SDGs through research programmes. A notable example is the partnership with the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) Malaysia, an NGO, on a research programme titled “Estimation of Existing Affordable Housing Stock in Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.” This collaboration demonstrates how the University engages with NGOs to address SDG-related challenges through research initiatives.
The research programme aims to support SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by focusing on affordable housing, which is a critical component of sustainable urban development. The project involves identifying appropriate methodologies to estimate the existing affordable housing stock in the Klang Valley and conducting detailed assessments at both district and housing-type levels. Through this collaboration, Sunway University contributes academic expertise, while REHDA provides industry knowledge and practical insights, ensuring that the research outcomes are relevant and actionable.
Additionally, the study seeks to advise REHDA on interpreting the findings and understanding how they relate to the overall affordable housing situation in Malaysia. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to leveraging research programmes in collaboration with NGOs to tackle real-world issues aligned with the SDGs, ultimately contributing to national development and global sustainability goals.
Development of Educational Resources
(i) Youth Advocacy Academy
In 2024, Sunway University, through the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, collaborated with UNICEF Malaysia and Kolektif Iklim to develop educational resources that advance the Sustainable Development Goals. This partnership produced the Youth Advocacy Academy (16–18 February 2024), a three-day hybrid programme hosted at Sunway University.
The Academy adapted and contextualised UNICEF’s Youth Advocacy Guide into a structured learning resource for Malaysian youth. Participants engaged with three core modules and a set of practical tools, including the Circle of Involvement, peer coaching, mental wellness crowdsourcing, and momentum-building pitching. A total of 30 youth aged 18–24 successfully completed the training.
Through this collaboration, Sunway University and its NGO partners co-created a tailored educational resource that strengthens youth capacity to design and implement impactful advocacy campaigns. The initiative demonstrates a clear contribution to SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by combining academic expertise with NGO-led advocacy frameworks.
(ii) SDG Education Development with Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
An online SDG Education Course was developed for the campus community in partnership with the SDG Academy, the education and training division of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), SDG Academy has a mandate of promoting transformative education through the creation and curation of high-quality content on sustainable development, sharing of innovative pedagogies and training models, and providing open access to learning resources for a global audience.
