Groundbreaking Ceremony for new school in Malaysia

Sunsuria Berhad (“Sunsuria”), an award-winning property developer in Malaysia, and Concord College International Limited have entered into a strategic partnership, marking Sunsuria’s entry into the international education space.

Under this new partnership, the two parties will establish and operate a British international school within Sunsuria City under the Concord College International brand.

Catering to students aged 5 to 18 years old, the new British international school – scheduled to open in September 2024 – will offer a broad and balanced education based on the UK National Curriculum for Primary (Years 1 to 6), Senior (Years 7 to 11) and Sixth Form (A level). With capacity for 1,250 students, the school will offer both day and boarding options to attract students from Malaysia, and other countries across Asia.

The international mix of expatriate and local academic staff and student cohort will help simulate a global learning environment that fosters cultural diversity and international relations. The new international school will remain consistent with Concord’s own ethos, including rigour, which aims to monitor student progress closely through prep, classwork, and examinations, as well as making sure all students’ individual needs are identified and supported.

Spanning over 10 acres of built-up area, the new international school will be located across the Xiamen University Malaysia campus in Sunsuria City. The new international school, inspired also by the architectural elegance of Concord College, Acton Burnell, will consist of 10 buildings housing the main hall, academics, creative arts and science, library, dining hall, student residences, auditorium as well as sports and recreational hall. Other facilities include a lawn amphitheatre, swimming pool, tennis courts, sports track and field, drama studios as well as music and art rooms.

Joining Sunsuria’s Executive Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Ter Leong Yap for the ground-breaking ceremony earlier this week, were Concord College International Global Principal, Mr Neil Hawkins and Assistant to Global Principal, Mrs Vanessa Hawkins, who were ‘delighted’ with the launch.

“We are honoured to bring a prestigious British International School to Sunsuria City – the first in the Asean region to be modelled after the award-winning Concord College in the UK. This development reflects our vision for Sunsuria City as a ‘Smart Livable and Sustainable’ township that inspires people to pursue knowledge, creativity and learning”, said Tan Sri Datuk Ter Leong Yap.

“Beyond Concord’s renowned academic rigour, the school’s ethos of mutual respect and kindness resonates deeply with Sunsuria’s corporate values of making the world a better place. Education is more than just academic excellence – it is about preparing the younger generation for the future. “An appreciation for diversity and multicultural understanding are much needed traits to be relevant in a globalised world” added Ter.

Said Mr Hawkins: “I am truly delighted to have the honour of working with Sunsuria Berhad to open the new Concord College International School in Sunsuria City. “From the start of our collaboration, we have felt a shared commitment to ensure that our school will be a high-quality institution that embodies the ethos and values of Concord College in the UK. It will also reflect and celebrate the wonderful context that Malaysia offers. “I feel uniquely privileged to be supporting the project. After 16 years as Principal of Concord College, my new role as Global Principal of Concord College International will allow me to draw on my long experience of bringing about change and improvement at Concord and applying this experience to our new school in Sunsuria City.

“It is certainly an exciting and inspiring prospect.”

Click here to view the ground-breaking ceremony photo gallery.