Returning to 鈥淧lastic Island鈥 off Norway鈥檚 Coast for Beach Cleanup Week
On 25 September, the University of Bergen (UiB), the UNAI SDG 14 Hub Chair for Life Below Water, organized a coastal cleanup for students and staff. As last year, the destination was Lisle Lyng酶y, often referred to as 鈥淧lastic Island鈥 off the coast of Helles酶y. The day was filled with strong impressions 鈥 and some good news for the island鈥檚 ecosystem.
Mount Kenya University Advances Innovation Partnerships at German Academic Exchange Service Centenary Symposium
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) marked its centenary with a four-day symposium in Cape Town, South Africa (13鈥16 October 2025), focused on 鈥淕lobal Responsibility 鈥 Local Impact: Higher Education Partnerships for the SDGs.鈥 Organized by DAAD and funded by Germany鈥檚 Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under the SDG Partnerships programme, the event convened participants from across Africa and Germany to exchange approaches for embedding the in university teaching, research, and international collaboration.
Kayseri University Promotes Sustainable Mobility on World Car-Free Day
In line with its commitment to the (SDGs), UNAI member institution Kayseri University in T眉rkiye celebrated on September 22 with a campus-wide event promoting sustainable transportation, reducing carbon emissions, and raising awareness about climate action. The event was also registered under Mobility Actions as part of the European Mobility Week initiative.
Equipping Teachers for a World of Tomorrow at the University of Cologne
The University of Cologne, a UNAI member institution, is a leading university in teacher education. More than 10,000 future teachers are trained here for careers in the educational sector. The university works together with an extensive network of schools to ensure a symbolic transfer of cutting-edge research and real-world experiences. Their prospective teachers are equipped to become teacher scientists and change makers who craft lessons using quality and future-proofed scientific tools.
Think Global, Act "Caipira" - University of S茫o Paulo Leads a Community-Driven Vision for Sustainable Development
The University of S茫o Paulo in Brazil serves as the Hub Chair for the UNAI Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 Hub: No Poverty. On 28 June 2025, the Luiz de Queiroz Agricultural College at the University of S茫o Paulo (ESALQ/USP) launched a participatory initiative that brings together science, community, and regional identity to reflect on and propose updates to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Integrating SDGs into Campus Life: Zero Waste Seminar at Kayseri University
UNAI member institution Kayseri University in T眉rkiye recently hosted a seminar on zero waste good practices, encouraging attendees to view waste through the lens of sustainable development.This awareness-raising activity, which was carried out for students, raised awareness about achieving zero waste as an important step for campus sustainability.
Millennium Fellowship Class of 2025: Over 4,000 young leaders making the SDGs and UNAI Principles Reality
The Millennium Campus Network (MCN) and United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) are proud to present the Class of 2025. This year鈥檚 Millennium Fellows were selected from among a record-breaking 60,396 applicants from over 7,500 campuses across 160 countries to participate in this ambitious program that helps make the Sustainable Development Goals and UNAI Principles a reality on campuses, in classrooms, and throughout communities.
BUITEMS Spearheads Week-long Gender Equality Initiative
UNAI member BUITEMS holds week-long initiative for university administrators, faculty, and students to promote the importance of gender equality in achieving SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
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.