SUNSURIA CELEBRATES THE GRAND OPENING OF ITS FLAGSHIP PREMIER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN SUNSURIA CITY – THE FIRST IN ASEAN

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 OCTOBER 2024: Sunsuria Berhad (“Sunsuria”) has officially launched Concord College International School Malaysia (“CCIS”) in Sunsuria City with a Grand Opening ceremony to mark the auspicious occasion.

Held at the Sports Hall of CCIS, the Grand Opening ceremony was officiated by Sunsuria’s Executive Chairman and CCIS Board of Governor’s Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Ter Leong Yap, Concord College International Ltd’s Chairman Dr. Iain Bride, The Bell Concord Educational Trust’s Chairman Dr. Colin Stanford and Concord College International’s Global Principal Mr. Neil Hawkins, who is also the Founding Executive Principal of CCIS.

The ceremony was also graced with tree planting by Deputy Minister for Communications, Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Teo Nie Ching, British High Commission Kuala Lumpur, Head of Education Asia Pacific, Yang Berusaha, Ms. Husna Hamimi Hashim, Concord College UK’s Principal Dr. Michael Truss, Kossan Rubber Industries Berhad’s Managing Director and CEO Tan Sri Dato’ Lim Kuang Sia, The Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Malaysia (“ACCCIM”)’s president Datuk Ng Yih Pyng, Sunsuria’s Group CEO Mr. Tan Wee Bee, Members of CCIS’ Board of Governors Dato’ Haji Md. Yusoff and Ter Shin Nie, as well as Sunsuria Education CEO Ms. Tan Ling Ling.

Around 500 people comprising students, parents, teachers, invited guests and members of the media, attended the event, which featured special performances in music and poetry by students of CCIS and Xiamen University Malaysia.

Established following a strategic partnership between Sunsuria Education Sdn Bhd (“SESB”) and Concord College International Limited (“CCIL”), CCIS is the first international school in ASEAN to be modelled after Concord College in the UK, a premier independent international day and boarding school in Shropshire, the UK.

SESB is the subsidiary of Sunsuria while CCIL is the subsidiary of The Bell Concord Educational Trust Limited, a UK-based educational charity that owns and operates Concord College UK.

Founded in 1949, Concord College UK is one of the top ranked independent co-educational international schools in the UK, with a diverse student cohort comprising 40 nationalities and a stellar track record in academics, consistently outperforming the country’s independent schools in GSCE and A-level results.

Guided by the school’s ethos of Rigour, Kindness and Creativity, CCIS aims to introduce an international education that is academically rigorous while developing a culture of excellence and a joyful learning journey for students aged from five to 18 years old.

CCIS offers the English National Curriculum from Primary School (Years 1 to 6), Secondary School (Years 7 to 10) and Sixth Form (A-Level), with day and boarding options catering to students in Malaysia and around Asia.

Located opposite Xiamen University Malaysia in Sunsuria City, the 10-acre campus of CCIS boasts of a wide range of modern, age-appropriate facilities amid green spaces to provide a holistic learning environment for students.

Among the facilities include the Main Hall, classrooms, science labs, libraries and study centre, art studio, dining hall and music practice rooms.

Encouraging an active lifestyle and sporting excellence, CCIS features a wide array of sports facilities such as a Sports Hall, a half-Olympic sized outdoor swimming pool, an all-weather sports field, gym, dance studio, running track, as well as tennis courts.

Located within easy walking distance, the student residence offers comfort and convenience to students, with each having their own individual study bedroom and en-suite shower for additional privacy.

Classes at Concord College International School commenced on the 2nd of September 2024 with an enrolment of approximately 200 students from 11 countries, including Malaysia, China, Korea, UK, Hungary, Spain, Japan, India, Myanmar, Canada, South Africa and Hong Kong.

Hailing from Malaysia, UK, Canada, Hungary, South Africa and Spain, the academic staff comprises a diverse mix of nationalities to offer a multicultural, globalised learning experience for students.

Helming the school is Mr. Hawkins, supported by the school’s senior academic team led by Head of Secondary Dr. Phil Outram, Head of Primary Mrs. Rosanna Kirkbride and Deputy Head of CCIS Mr. Brian Lees.

Due to encouraging recruitment and growing interest, CCIS has begun planning to expand the school’s capacity for future intakes.

Phase 2 of CCIS will consist of boarding residence for an additional 650 students, an auditorium, classrooms, student social space, study room, testing hall, games room, library and dining hall.

Moving forward, Sunsuria plans to establish another two Concord College International School campuses throughout Malaysia.

In September, Sunsuria signed a Territorial Exclusivity Agreement with Concord College International Limited, which grants SESB the exclusive rights to establish and operate new British international schools in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea, India and other markets across Southeast Asia and South Asia.

“The grand opening of Concord College International School Malaysia marks a milestone for Sunsuria as it is our flagship international school in Sunsuria City, strengthening the township’s proposition as an education hub, and the stepping stone to establishing Sunsuria as an education player in Malaysia and internationally,” said Sunsuria’s Executive Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Ter Leong Yap.

“Through our strategic alliance with Concord College International, we are advancing our shared vision of nurturing the future generation through education of the highest academic rigour with top-notch campus facilities. By creating greater access to good education, Sunsuria is building progressive communities, and ultimately creating a more sustainable future for all,” said Tan Sri Ter, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Governors at CCIS.

“Sunsuria’s approach to education is similar to that of Concord College. I am confident that the Concord College International School Malaysia and other schools to be developed in the coming years will provide outstanding educational opportunities for students in Malaysia and in other Southeast Asian countries,” said Concord College International Ltd’s Chairman Dr. Iain M. Bride.

“We are excited to welcome the pioneering batch of Concordians at Concord College International School Malaysia to the wider Concord College family worldwide. We look forward to journeying alongside them while inculcating Rigour, Kindness and Creativity, as they discover the joy of lifelong learning and realise their potential as unique individuals. We believe these values will stand them in good stead, enabling them to flourish amid the adversities of life,” said Concord College International’s Global Principal Mr. Neil Hawkins.