Higher Education's Role in Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract
As the world grapples with complex challenges such as climate change, inequality, and resource scarcity, higher education institutions are increasingly recognized as pivotal players in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study explores the multifaceted role of higher education in promoting and achieving the SDGs, emphasizing its contributions through research, teaching, and community engagement. By integrating sustainability principles into curricula, fostering interdisciplinary research, and forming strategic partnerships, universities can drive innovation and influence policy. The paper examines case studies from diverse institutions to illustrate best practices and identifies key challenges faced by higher education in this context. Furthermore, it provides recommendations for enhancing the impact of higher education on the SDGs, including the need for systemic change, increased funding, and stronger collaboration with stakeholders. This analysis underscores the transformative potential of higher education in creating a sustainable future and highlights the urgency of aligning institutional goals with the global sustainability agenda.
Keywords
Higher Education, Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, Sustainability, University Contributions, Research InnovationHow to Cite
References
Barlett, P., & Chase, G. (2004). Sustainability on campus: Stories and strategies for change. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
R. M Bassett., & A. Maldonado (Eds.). (2009). International organizations and higher education policy: Thinking globally, acting locally?. New York: Routledge.
Bloom, D. E., Canning, D., Chan, K. J., & Luca, D. L. (2014). Higher education and economic growth in Africa. International Journal of African Higher Education, 1, 22–57.
Cloete, N., Bailey, T., Pillay, P., Bunting, I., & Maassen, P. (2011). Universities and economic development in Africa: Pact, academic core and coordination. Wynberg, South Africa: Centre for Higher Education Transformation (CHET).
Clugston, R. M., & Calder, W. (1999). Critical dimensions of sustainability in higher education. In W. L. Filho (Ed.), Sustainability and university life (pp. 31–46). Frankfurt, Germany: Peter Lang.
Collins, C. S. (2013). An overview of African higher education and development. In A. W. Wiseman & C. C. Wolhuter (Eds.), The development of higher education in Africa: Prospects and challenges (pp. 21–65). Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Cortese, A. (2003). The critical role of higher education in creating a sustainable future. Planning for Higher Education, 31, 15–22.
Education Commission. (2017). About the Education Commission, Commission leadership, research agenda and partners. Brussels: Author. Retrieved from http://educationcommission.org/about/
European Commission. (2011). Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union. Luxembourg: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission.
GPE. (2017). Global partnership for education. Retrieved from http://www.globalpartnership.org/about-us/board.
Copyright (c) 2024 Charlotte Allard (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
