KOTA SAMARAHAN, SARAWAK (8 January 2026) – Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) has been appointed as the new United Nations Academic Impact Sustainable Development Goals Hub Vice-Chair for Outreach and Partnership for SDG 15: Life on Land by the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative.
UNIMAS was selected following a rigorous global selection process that reviewed over 330 applications from higher education institutions worldwide.
The university will play an essential role in advancing the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by leading Outreach and Partnership initiatives for the UNAI SDG 15 Hub, from December 2025 to December 2027, as part of the larger UNAI network, which comprises over 1,700 universities and colleges across more than 150 countries.
“UNIMAS is deeply honored by this global recognition, which underscores our aspiration to be a community-driven university for sustainable world through strategic collaboration and partnership” said Professor Dr. Ahmad Hata Rasit, Vice-Chancellor of UNIMAS. “This important appointment is in alignment with the University’s longstanding commitment to in environmental initiatives, rigorous sustainability reporting, environmental sustainability programmes, campus greening, and climate-conscious initiatives. This is an exciting new chapter in our journey toward advancing cross-sectoral partnerships that ensure ‘Life on Land’ remains vibrant for future generations.”
UNAI cited UNIMAS’s dedication to advancing the principles of SDG 15 through its innovative research and community engagement, specifically noting its ability to foster collaboration toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
UNAI SDG Hub Network
UNAI SDG Hubs are designated institutions of higher education within the UNAI network that actively work to promote the SDGs by leveraging the power of academia to create positive social, economic, and environmental change. Each Hub is designated to focus on a specific SDG, fostering research, education, and global collaboration to advance that goal, while respecting the strong interdependencies across all 17 SDGs.
For more information about the new UNAI SDG Hub cohort and their activities please visit: UNAI SDG Hub Network | United Nations
Background on United Nations Academic Impact:
UNAI is an initiative that aligns institutions of higher education with the United Nations in supporting and contributing to the realization of United Nations goals and mandates. UNAI members are making significant strides in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda to further encourage innovation and commitment to sustainability education for future generations. For more information about the UNAI, please visit: https://www.un.org/en/academicimpact
About Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS):
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) is a premier research university located in the heart of Borneo. As the first public university in Sarawak, it is committed to excellence in education and research that contributes to the sustainable development of the region and the nation. With its new strategic focus on “IDEAting Borneo Futures,” UNIMAS continues to lead in biodiversity conservation, community transformation, and global sustainability partnerships.
