Universities and higher education institutions, as key social institutions and agents of change, can play a crucial role in moving toward sustainable development within the realm of their social commitment. This research aims to provide a general map of the causalities among the activities taking place in higher education and the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this regard, a causal-loop diagram following the systems thinking approach is developed to show how attempts toward achieving SDGs can support higher education goals and how higher education activities can support moving toward achieving the SDGs. The provided conceptual framework can help decision-makers and research communities within higher education and sustainable development in their analysis of the mutual impact universities and the achievement of SDGs can have on each other.