The Sustainability, Economics, Innovation, Globalisation and Organisational Psychology (SEIGOP) 2025 Conference was held on 11 and 12 September 2025 at the Singapore campus of James Cook University (JCU in Singapore). It brought together scholars, industry experts and policymakers from across the world to discuss innovations in sustainability and economic integration. It was hosted by the university’s Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA).

This year’s theme, “Sustainable Futures and the Asia-Pacific: Innovation, Integration, and Impact”, highlights the growing importance of balancing rapid economic growth with environmental responsibility in the region. It calls for innovative technologies, business models, and policies that can support both economic and ecological resilience. At the same time, it highlights the value of multidisciplinary research, bringing together industries, governments, and communities to design holistic strategies. By emphasising measurable outcomes, the theme draws attention to how sustainability initiatives can translate into real-world benefits for the environment, economy, and society across the Asia-Pacific.



During the conference, participants exchanged insights and presented innovative research addressing some of the most critical issues confronting businesses, governments, and communities worldwide. Topics such as sustainable development, green financing, sustainable tourism, and leadership in sustainability were discussed through sessions such as a panel discussion, and parallel sessions attracting 73 paper submissions from 13 countries.

"The conference created an open space for academics and industry practitioners to share their challenges and solutions. I found the exchanges very encouraging because they showed that research is not happening in isolation, it’s directly informing business practices and policies. By bringing both groups to the table, SEIGOP has helped to build stronger partnerships that can drive innovation and sustainability across the Asia-Pacific," says Professor Lim Weng Marc, a Distinguished Professor and the Dean of Sunway Business School at Sunway University, who was one of the speakers at the conference.




The Sustainability in the Asia Pacific panel discussion, moderated by JCU in Singapore’s Professor of Strategy & Sustainability, Dr Adrian Kuah, (JCU in Singapore), brought together experts from government, industry, and academia to address urgent environmental and economic challenges facing the region.

Panelists included:

• Ms Putrie Rozana Soraya (Deputy CEO, Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore)
• Mr Dalson Chung (Deputy Chair, Environment and Resource Standards Committee, NEA Singapore)
• Mr Andrew Cameron (Founder & CEO, Enzyme Consulting), and
• Ms Latifahaida Abdul Latif (Assistant Director, ASEAN Secretariat).

The discussion covered critical issues such as deforestation, transboundary haze, climate change vulnerability, marine ecosystem degradation, pollution, and energy consumption, focusing on innovative, multidisciplinary solutions to promote sustainable development and policy integration across Asia Pacific.

The Meet the Editors Workshop – Publish in High-Quality Journals provided valuable guidance on navigating the academic publishing landscape. Moderated by Professor Peter Hofman (JCU in Singapore), with panellists including Professor Lim Weng Marc (Sunway Business School) and Professor Alexander Josiassen (JCU in Singapore and Copenhagen Business School), the session focused on strategies for publishing in top journals, addressing common challenges, and enhancing research impact.

“One particularly valuable insight I gained was from Professor Marc Lim about learning how to combine multiple review studies within a single SLR, which has refreshed my thinking about how I might approach future review studies. I will carry the knowledge forward and work hard to apply it in my future research,” says Mr Sun Renjie, Higher Degree by Research student at the Business School.

The conference also saw a book launch, Inspirational Entrepreneurship and Stimulating Tourism: Lessons from the Himalayas, co-written by Dr Manisha Agarwal, Lecturer in Business and Psychology,  and Dr Professor K Thirumaran from JCU in Singapore, together with former JCU in Singapore colleagues Professor Abhishek Singh Bhati and Dr Emiel Eijdenberg, exemplifying the impactful scholarship emerging from the university.

“Events like SEIGOP not only advance knowledge but also strengthen connections between researchers, practitioners, and the wider community,” says Professor Carole-Anne Upton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Singapore, James Cook University. Professor Upton is also on SEIGOP’s 2025 Advisory Committee.

“I was particularly impressed by the quality of discussions and the diversity of perspectives presented. Researchers and practitioners alike were eager to share insights and challenge conventional thinking, which is exactly what we need to tackle the complex sustainability challenges our region faces,” she adds.

Find out more about the Singapore campus of James Cook University.

Contacts
Media: Ms Pinky Sibal pinky.sibal@jcu.edu.au / Ms Hoe Shu Rin shurin.hoe@jcu.edu.au