SDE5401 Fundamentals of Sustainable Development

Associate Professor Ethan Chong specialises in sustainable development, engineering design, and artificial intelligence. As the Head of Sustainability (Education and Research) in the Office of the Provost, he develops SIT’s overall strategy for educational programmes in sustainability while extending and synergizing applied research activities related to sustainability. Dr. Chong envisions an industry driven by cutting-edge technologies and a continuous learning paradigm founded upon the requirements of the future economy. In SIT, he also supports the industry in developing solutions and manpower through training, consultation, and R&D.

Mark Teo is an Assistant Professor of Design in the Business, Communication and Design cluster at the Singapore Institute of Technology. He has more than 15 years of experience, straddling practice and higher education, and has practiced in Singapore, Australia, and Canada. Mark is interested in how spaces impact people’s lifestylesand vice versa. He has crafted and overseen projects ranging from small lighting installations to conservation shophouses and multi-unit high-rise residential developments. Mark is a member of the Singapore Institute of Architects and served on the Sustainability Committee in 2009, during which he was a contributor to the institute’s policy paper on the attributes of a sustainable built environment. He is also serving on both the Sustainability Education Committee and the Sustainability Work Group at  the Singapore Institute of Technology. His current research interests are in human-centred design, sustainability, urban agriculture, and food security.

Darian McBain is a globally experienced Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), advisor and board member. She is a world recognised expert, speaker and author on sustainability, ESG, supply chains, ocean economy, business human rights and sustainable finance. She is a UN SDG Pioneer for a Sustainable Ocean Economy 2021, a Fast Company Most Creative People in Business 2020, and was named one of Asia's Top Sustainability Superwomen.

Darian is the CEO and Founder of Outsourced Chief Sustainability Officer Asia (OCSO Asia). In this role she has worked with organisations as diverse as commodity producers in the agriculture sector, WWF, UNEP, Minderoo Foundation, venture capital funds focused on climate and agriculture, and advisor to several startups. She is also a Senior Fellow for a Just Nature Transition with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, working on projects focusing on nature and finance in small scale aquaculture production. Darian was the inaugural Chief Sustainability Officer for the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the first CSO for a central bank globally. Prior to this, she was the Global Director of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability for Thai Union, creating an award winning sustainability strategy and working on wild capture and farmed seafoods globally. 

Darian is an experienced communications professional, working on staff and change engagement, corporate storytelling, brand profile and reputation management. She is a published author, with books, academic articles and blogs published in traditional and social media. She is a regular speaker and commentator at conferences, on television and webinars, and is a member of several not-for-profit boards.