SINGAPORE, November 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) and the University of Sunderland today announced plans to launch an MDIS-University of Sunderland Center for Applied Sustainability Research and Innovation. As the two institutions celebrate 20 years of their transnational education partnership, they now look to the future by unveiling a bold new vision for education focused on sustainable development.
Plans for the MDIS-University of Sunderland Center for Applied Sustainability Research and Innovation were announced at the Innovate for a green future event held in Singapore on 8th November 2025, with a delegation of University of Sunderland leaders, including the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell, traveling to the country.
The Center is a landmark initiative led by a Singapore private educational institution in partnership with a British university. It aims to support Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 and the national goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, the Center aims to become Asia’s leading hub for applied sustainability innovation, with a focus on development, application, implementation and workforce development – areas in which MDIS and the University of Sunderland bring complementary strengths – the aim would be to create a center that would serve as a bridge between academic research and real-world practice.
The Centre’s research and innovation project is anchored in Singapore’s industrial strategy through the following strategic pillars:
- Circular manufacturing and resilient supply chains
- Green economy and business transformation
- Sustainable tourism and urban hospitality
Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland, said: “The launch of this center is a historic moment for the University of Sunderland. This is the first time we have extended cross-border sustainability research cooperation to Singapore and the wider Asian region, extending the reach and impact of our work well beyond the UK. By partnering with MDIS, we are not only sharing our expertise, but also developing practical solutions that meet the urgent demands of businesses and communities in this part of the world. of Sunderland firmly on the global map as a leading institution in sustainability research and innovation, and reflects our commitment to creating life-changing knowledge on an international scale.
Dr Eric Kuan, Chairman of MDIS, said: “As the first private educational institution in Singapore to establish the MDIS-Sunderland Center for Applied Sustainability Research and Innovation, dedicated to the advancement of sustainability research and applications, MDIS is playing a leading role in defining how private educational institutions and industry can work together to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Pioneering applied research and practical solutions that will enable businesses and SMEs to transform with confidence, while equipping the workforce with the green skills needed for the future economy. It’s about more than education, it’s about creating real impact for Singapore and beyond.
The center would build on the strong foundations of the MDIS-University of Sunderland partnership, which has grown to include campuses in Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Tajikistan, delivering Sunderland-accredited programs to thousands of students across Asia.
The planned center aims to be not only a testament to the enduring legacy of the Sunderland-MDIS partnership, but also a forward-looking initiative that reflects a shared commitment to excellence, innovation and global sustainability. Alumni, industry leaders and educators will play a critical role in shaping the direction of the Center and ensuring its success in creating a new generation of sustainability-savvy graduates.
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About the Management Development Institute of Singapore (www.mdis.edu.sg)
Founded in 1956, the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) is one of Singapore’s oldest non-profit professional institutes for lifelong learning.
MDIS offers internationally accredited educational programs in over 10 disciplines in partnership with renowned universities in the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Additionally, its corporate training arms – management development and consulting and service quality center – cater to the training needs of the workforce. Since 2010, MDIS has been EduTrust certified, attesting to its exemplary standards in education and business excellence.
The institute achieved a double victory at the Singapore Prestige Brand Award (SPBA); he was one of the four awardees as well as the overall winner of the SPBA – Heritage Brands 2018. In 2017, MDIS was ranked 4th for the Enterprise 50 award for its contribution to boosting Singapore’s economy.
In addition to Singapore, MDIS has international campuses in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, and Johor, Malaysia.
About the University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland is a life-changing institution with an underlying ambition to be student-focused, career-oriented and society-shaping. It welcomes all talents into higher education and helps students reach their full potential.
The university has approximately 28,800 students based across campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong, as well as through global learning partnerships in 17 countries and online learning. The University is proud of its positive contribution to economic and social change. Its graduates leave equipped with the knowledge, skills, confidence and connections to make a positive difference in the wider world.
Find out how the University of Sunderland can change lives at www.sunderland.ac.uk
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SOURCE MDIS
