Sunsuria Berhad has entered into a landmark Territorial Exclusivity Agreement with Concord College International Limited (CCIL), setting the stage for the expansion of the prestigious British educational brand, Concord College, across key markets in Asia. The agreement between CCIL and Sunsuria Education International of Sunsuria Berhad was formalised in Shrewsbury, UK, on September 27 in a ceremony.
The agreement binds Sunsuria to providing unique entitlements to open and run new Concord College International Schools in various Asian nations like Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, India, and other Southeast and South Asia regions. By this collaboration, the motive is to enhance education standards in the above regions and provide quality academic experience for students.
The Bell Concord Educational Trust Limited is the holding company of Concord College UK, one of the top-independent international day and boarding schools in Shropshire, UK. This partnership is a significant step towards sharing resources, expertise, and knowledge gained in education by both Sunsuria and CCIL to deliver quality British education in Asia, with the possible extension of this partnership by mutual agreement in the future.
Sunsuria Berhad Executive Chairman and Concord College International School Board of Governors Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Ter Leong Yap remained optimistic about this new project, saying that the project would further help broaden the group's footprint across Asia and Southeast Asia, thereby diversifying into new markets and strengthening the Sunsuria brand. We believe that with quality education, we also help to ensure a brighter future for everyone. With Concord College's longstanding tradition of academic excellence, as well as commitment to acts of kindness and creativity, we will be making an endurable positive impact on the students of this region".
The strategic partnership occurred within the context of the opening of its first Concord College International School in Sunsuria City, Malaysia, which commenced in September. The new campus was established with collaboration between Sunsuria and Concord College UK. This was the first to be located inside ASEAN and was molded according to the popular design of the famous Concord College UK.
Concord College UK was established in the year 1949. The pupils of this school are drawn from more than 40 nationalities, and it is placed invariably near the top of the UK's independent co-educational international schools. The school boasts an outstanding performance over years, with results beating independent schools in the UK often in GCSE and A-level results. In 2023, more than 100 students from Concord College were offered places at universities ranked in the world's top 100, including 12 at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
Even more significantly, Concord College UK has been performing impressively in creating top record holders to the country among all other schools. In the year 2023, 1 percent of all triple A A-level scorers throughout England came from Concord College UK. More than 90 percent of the students received top grades of 7, 8, or 9 in the GCSE and IGCSE examinations. More than 80 percent of the students recorded an AS-level grade A in their respective subjects.
Earlier in the year, the school also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Xiamen University Malaysia to mutually develop and implement super curriculum activities. It ascribes with the global mission of the school: "To encourage intellectual curiosity and academic excellence".
Going forward, Sunsuria aims to further deepen its education play by opening two more campuses of Concord College International School in Malaysia. This is part of the company's broader vision of bringing the best of British education to more children across Asia.
Finally, Dr. Iain M. Bride, chairman of Concord College International, said: "For over 60 years, more than 2,000 Malaysian students have gained entry to top British universities through Concord College UK. Many potential partners had approached us to open a school in Malaysia, but Sunsuria's approach to education especially stood out. Their commitment to high academic standards and to creating world-class facilities mirrors the ethos of Concord College. I am confident that both the Concord College International School in Malaysia and the other campuses we plan to develop will provide outstanding educational opportunities for students in Southeast Asia".
