Bringing the SDGs to Life by 2030: Best Practices in Higher Education Within the Middle East Region

Higher education is facing countless challenges globally. Consequently, universities have been forced to undergo urgent changes to adapt to the evolving circumstances. As part of their commitment to working locally on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many universities are dedicated to leading local initiatives to foster a culture of sustainability in local communities. This chapter considers the role of higher education within the Middle East region in promoting the implementation of the SDGs in universities, schools and communities. Several activities in this regard have taken place at different levels in this region within universities, faculties, community-based partnerships, NGOs including various research initiatives, innovation hubs, etc. The aim of this chapter is to provide information about how higher education can bring the SDGs to life by 2030 (Agenda 2030) in the Middle East region. This information will support these universities to speed up the implementation of the SDGs and will engage the academic community, industry and civil society by providing data and sharing experiences and best practices that focus on the SDGs, in order to improve the health and wellbeing of communities. Various successful initiatives and best practices with the aim of achieving the SDGs by 2030 are presented in this chapter. Findings indicate that to achieve sustainability at universities in the Middle East region, action plans and programmes must be put into place as a matter of urgency. For these universities to contribute to sustainable development effectively, several steps must be taken, such as training of academic staff in sustainability topics, utilizing research centres and working groups to facilitate a variety of specific sustainability initiatives, and fostering intra- and inter-institutional partnerships and networks to exchange ideas and experiences on sustainability, as well as organizing, developing and implementing a range of related projects.