Empowering today’s learners in sustainability for the generations of tomorrow
Sustainability is an imperative that resonates deeply with SUSS' mission, as highlighted by Prof Ang Hak Seng, director of the Centre of Excellence for Social Good at SUSS (left), and Dr Tan Eng Joo, head of Graduate Programmes in Sustainability Management. Photos: Mediacorp Studio 3
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From stackable programme offerings to tailored consultancy services and strategic alliances, the Singapore University of Social Sciences is building sustainability capabilities for the future.
What does ‘social good’ mean to you? While the term might evoke images of food drives or fundraising efforts for worthy causes, Professor Ang Hak Seng of the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) envisions a more profound impact that transcends the present day.
“At SUSS, we believe that social good encompasses the creation of a community and an environment for future generations,” said Prof Ang, who serves as the director of the Centre of Excellence for Social Good (CESG), SUSS.
CESG goes beyond its role as a think tank focused on advancing social good; it also serves as a catalyst for building social alliances and plays a pivotal role in developing the capacity of the people sector at a national level. Added Prof Ang: “CESG is committed to equipping sectors with the necessary skills to embrace social good causes such as sustainability. We conduct research on how organisations can do good, do right and do well, which is a delicate balancing act. Through this research, we develop best practices to help the ecosystem to rapidly scale up their sustainability practices.”
Sustainability takes on an interdisciplinary approach at SUSS, addressing not just environmental concerns but also the complex web of social and business challenges. In addition to launching a suite of graduate-level sustainability management programmes, the university has formalised a partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with professional services firm RSM.
This alliance aims to empower small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore to integrate sustainability into their operations and business models. The focus on SMEs is a strategic one, as these businesses lack the capacity to readily hire sustainability experts due to their smaller size and resource constraints. However, as SMEs employ more than 70 per cent of Singapore’s workforce, they have the potential to generate a substantial and widespread influence on Singapore’s sustainability landscape.
“Embarking on sustainability can strengthen SMEs. It builds business resilience within the supply chain, reduces operational costs through process optimisation and drives innovation, enabling SMEs to venture into new markets,” noted Prof Ang. “An SME that refuses to adopt sustainable practices may risk alienating younger consumers and miss out on attracting fresh talent by failing to align with the values of the younger generation.”
GUIDING SMES ON THEIR SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEYS
According to Prof Ang, SUSS’ MOU with RSM is laser-focused on three crucial aspects – the creation of a training curriculum, sustainability research and engagement in consultancy projects. These areas have been identified as gaps that SMEs often encounter when striving to weave sustainability into their operations.
“The training programmes help to address the sustainability knowledge gaps that SMEs have, while the consultancy projects are designed to bridge the gap in practical expertise in implementing sustainability practices,” explained Prof Ang. “Our research endeavours aim to meet the need for sustainability best practices, such as easily adoptable sustainability standards of practice for scaling up within an organisation.”
To mitigate the issue of limited resources and expertise, SUSS is offering affordable consultancy services to SMEs looking for guidance in their sustainability journeys. Working alongside industry experts, including its partner RSM, CESG will provide consultancy sessions, toolkits and other tailored resources to help kickstart the process for SMEs.
“To keep costs affordable, we will also tap on skills-based volunteers who have deep sustainability knowledge and the passion to support SMEs through the consultancy process,” revealed Prof Ang. “We intend to roll out this consultancy initiative as a pilot programme next year.”
To help close the knowledge gap, SUSS will work with Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) and other industry partners to carry out joint research, organise regular sustainability forums, facilitate Community of Practice sharing sessions for participants in the SME consultancy programme, and create templates and guidelines for sustainability initiatives.
Recognising the unique sustainability needs inherent to different sectors, SUSS plans to seek insights and feedback from TACs to ensure that the training programmes developed under the MOU offer a tailored fit for SMEs across various industries. The programmes will be scalable, stackable and flexible, allowing SME staff to acquire the skillsets essential for their career development – and to help their companies go greener, faster.
EDUCATING A NEW COHORT OF SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS
Ensuring that Singapore has a pipeline of sustainability-savvy talent is top of mind for Dr Tan Eng Joo, head of Graduate Programmes in Sustainability Management and the co-chair of SUSS’ sustainability committee.
Dr Tan oversees the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Management and the Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Management. Together with the Master of Management with a specialisation in Sustainability Management, these programmes are currently accepting applications for classes scheduled to begin in January next year.
The Master of Social Entrepreneurship – which will be launched later in 2024 – also includes a sustainability track, aimed at developing a focused understanding on best practices for Singapore’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) ecosystem and global ESG standards.
According to Dr Tan, postgraduates are the target demographic for SUSS’ sustainability management programmes as they can leverage their professional expertise and networks to put their newly acquired knowledge to good use.
Said Dr Tan: “Postgraduate students tend to better appreciate the complexity of sustainability challenges and the need for coordinated, interdisciplinary solutions. Their professional connections make them well-suited to implement such solutions, in addition to being advocates and change agents. Also, those who are further along in their careers are better positioned to lead, drive and support the transformational change that is often needed to create positive impact.”
Developed in collaboration with industry partners to guarantee the curriculum’s direct applicability in the workplace, the sustainability management programmes at SUSS are aimed at young professionals seeking to build careers in the sustainability sector, mid-to-senior managers entrusted with ESG-related responsibilities, and individuals possessing technical expertise – such as in energy efficiency or photovoltaic systems – who are transitioning into managerial roles.
“Even professionals in roles related to environmental stewardship and those facilitating the broader sustainability ecosystem, such as consultants, can benefit from our programmes,” highlighted Dr Tan.
Furthermore, SUSS has forged strategic alliances with RSM and the Building and Construction Authority to jointly shape and deliver selected courses. Said Dr Tan: “We regularly scan the sustainability landscape to ensure the continued relevance of our programmes. For instance, the issuance of the IFRS S1 and S2 by the International Sustainability Standards Board represents a noteworthy development that will be integrated into our Sustainability Reporting course.”
In an effort to give learners the flexibility to tailor their educational journey according to their professional demands, schedules and personal commitments, these programmes are designed to be stackable, allowing for customisation through elective courses that zoom in on specific sectors and job functions. These specialised areas can include the built environment and procurement.
Said Dr Tan: “The urgency of climate change demands that professionals at every career stage swiftly acquire the skills and knowledge required to mitigate climate risk and propel the shift towards a sustainable future.”
Visit suss.edu.sg to learn more about sustainability-related qualifications and initiatives.
