Student Leaders at the Forefront: Higher Education鈥檚 Role in Advancing Global Goals
To explore the role of student leadership and higher education in addressing global challenges, United Nations Academic Impact and Millennium Campus Network (MCN) co-organized an event during the 2025 High-level Political Forum at United Nations Headquarters in New York titled "Creating a Better World: Contributions of Higher Education". The event sought to highlight the critical role of higher education institutions as a strategic catalyst for advancing the SDGs.
Sustainability at UFGD: Reflections and Commitments
UNAI member institution the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD) in Dourados, MS, Brazil held the 5th Sustainability Seminar from 4 to 6 June 2025, featuring lectures and roundtable discussions, reinforcing UFGD鈥檚 commitment to sustainability, and highlighting the importance of concrete actions for a more balanced future in which development and preservation go hand in hand.
Bringing Together Diverse Stakeholders to Reimagine Higher Education
Higher education (HE) is vital to shaping futures that are inclusive, just, and sustainable. Yet, higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world are grappling with how to adapt to an evolving world. To explore these challenges and address the critical role and potential of, as well as trust in, HEIs, UN Academic Impact along with partners convened the Global Higher Education Symposium under the theme 鈥'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for 2030鈥.
Ahfad University REED Summer Training Attachment Resumes
The School of Rural Extension Education and Development (REED) at UNAI member institution Ahfad University for Women in Sudan has resumed its Summer Training Attachment (STA) program. With a focus on community engagement, data collection, and addressing local challenges like poverty and displacement, the STA Program connects students with rural communities for hands-on experience in development projects. After a two-year suspension due to war, 20 students are now placed in four villages.
Koya University Launches Prestigious Prize to Promote Sustainability and Environmental Protection
UNAI member institution Koya University proudly announces the launch of the 鈥淜oya University Sustainability and Environment Protection Prize鈥, a landmark initiative aimed at encouraging excellence in environmental stewardship, sustainable innovation, and climate action across academic institutions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and beyond.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Founds Space Law & Sustainability Center
Increased activity in space has enabled greater communication capabilities and other technological advancements through satellites, but with this increased activity comes increased pollution. To study space law from a sustainability perspective, space lawyer Ioana Bratu (Amsterdam Law & Technology Institute) and environmental policy professor Philipp Pattberg (Amsterdam Sustainability Institute) founded the Space Law & Sustainability Center at UNAI member institution Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
UEM Event Highlights Climate Action in Universities
This May, UNAI member institution The State University of Maring谩 hosted a ceremony and expert roundtable to highlight low-carbon strategies in higher education, honoring key sustainability initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Organized by the Planning and Institutional Development Office (PLD), the event included a piano performance, speeches from institutional leaders, and tributes to projects and individuals contributing to sustainable development.
KIIT University and UNSSC Join Forces to Empower Global Changemakers
Initially established as an industrial training institute, in Odisha, India has grown into a globally recognized university, offering a wide array of courses across multiple disciplines. Now, in a landmark partnership, KIIT University and the have joined forces to create transformative learning opportunities for young leaders and changemakers.
BUITEMS: World Water Day Workshop for Gardeners on Water Conservation
On 22 March, organized a workshop to educate the university gardeners on the importance of water conservation in celebration of the World Water Day 2025, providing them with practical tips and strategies to reduce water wastage in a session delivered by Mr. Sulaiman Kasi, Director Administration & General Services.
Enhancing Teaching & Expanding Access: Handong UNITWIN OCW Program
The Handong UNITWIN Fellowship OpenCourseWare program at UNAI member institution Handong Global University has supported over 900 professors in 20 developing countries, enhancing teaching capacity and student access to free educational resources. This semester, it is assisting 25 professors in creating online lecture materials and has introduced a video on interactive online teaching.
Teaching Tools Ask "Are We on Track to Reach the SDGs by 2030?"
鈥楽DGs by 2030 鈥 are we on track?鈥 is a digital resource showing how academics at the University of Sydney are working to achieve specific SDG targets. The endeavour includes 29 short narratives, infographics and student assignments that can be used as teaching prompts for academics looking to incorporate the SDGs into their course guides.
From Classrooms to Communities: INSEAD鈥檚 Story of Impact Entrepreneurship
In recent years, societal risks such as inequality, along with environmental threats together with armed conflicts, have ranked among the world's top concerns, as the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer highlights an unprecedented level of distrust in government, NGOs, media, and, of course, business. In response, impact entrepreneurship has emerged as a powerful force for addressing some of the world's most urgent challenges.
Manchester Metropolitan University launches new Institute for Children鈥檚 Futures
To mark World Children鈥檚 Day, Manchester Metropolitan University welcomed over 100 delegates to celebrate the launch of its new Institute for Children鈥檚 Futures (ICF). The ICF brings together the University鈥檚 existing academic expertise and will work with children and young people, policymakers, and practitioners through research, policy innovation and action to tackle the diverse challenges faced by children and young people.
UAVEIRO REAP: Recycling and Reimbursement of PET Packaging Pilot System
In 2020, the applied for the Environment, Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy Program, with the aim of improving its waste management by including a reimbursement system for the deposit of polyethene terephthalic (PET) bottles and non-reusable cans. The basic principle of the REAP project is the possibility that UAveiro鈥檚 students and workers could be reimbursed for each bottle they return.
UiB Plastic Cleanup Campaign 2024: "Plastic Island"
Students and staff from the University of Bergen, together with long-standing partners, cleaned 鈥淧lastic Island鈥 Lisle Lyng酶y during this year鈥檚 plastic cleanup campaign. The cleanup campaign, held on September 12, was organized by UiB鈥檚 Plastics Network and the Sustainability Pilots in collaboration with Bergen og Omland Friluftsr氓d (BOF) and Naturvernforbundet Hordaland.