By UOW Malaysia 

The Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) is an inspiring 12-week program aimed at tackling Malaysia’s most pressing societal issues, organised by McKinsey & Company in partnership with Teach for Malaysia. This initiative brings together students from various institutions to collaborate on innovative solutions. Lim Cheng Hong, a student from the School of Business at UOW Malaysia, had the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of undergraduate students from several private universities in Malaysia.

Focusing on sustainability, their mission was to address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 and 13—Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Climate Action. In this collaborative spirit, Cheng Hong co-founded High Susciety, a social enterprise dedicated to transforming unwanted textiles into useful products. The vision was to lead the way towards a more sustainable society by reducing landfill waste and fostering environmental awareness.

On 24 August 2024, during the midpoint pitch day, they made significant strides by collecting approximately 400 pieces of clothing from the public—preventing around 150kg of fabric waste from ending up in landfills. This achievement not only reflects their commitment to sustainability but also highlights the power of community engagement.

To further amplify their impact, they formed a strategic partnership with Kloth Malaysia, boosting their credibility and reach. The Woman Up Movement, launched by Kloth Malaysia, is dedicated to preventing fabric waste from ending up in landfills by implementing the Textile Circular Economy model. The team’s efforts were recognised when they secured RM1,000 in seed funding as the second runner-up in the YLA program.

With this funding, High Susciety is poised to develop a sustainable revenue model, ensuring the longevity of their mission. This collaboration has empowered them to make a real difference, proving that when students unite for a common cause, they can drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable future.