SDG 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

Ahlia University (Bahrain) has made sustainable development a strategic priority in the past five years, embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its teaching, research, and community engagement. In 2021, Ahlia launched a University Sustainable Development Plan (2021-2025) to align its initiatives with national strategies and international standards. A core pillar of Ahlia's approach is forging global partnerships - the university actively promotes collaboration with national and international organizations to tackle SDGs, encouraging joint research in areas like quality education, equal opportunity, and sustainable growth.

Ahlia University Sustainability Initiative

Ahlia University considers Social Responsibility and Sustainability as part of its prioritised strategies that is embedded in its core functions including teaching, research and community. The University is committed to contribute and work towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through encouragement of research in various research areas such as quality education, equal opportunities and sustainable growth. In order to create a recognised impact Ahlia University promotes partnership with national and international organisations tackling UNSDGs.

Implementation of the Project/Activity

Ahlia University (AU) aligned the UNSDGs initiatives as part of it strategies, a University Sustainable Development Plan (2021-2025) was developed and approved with clear set of initiatives to contribute to the overall UNSDGs with prioritized measures. In the next 5 years AU is committed to increase the number of publications in specific areas including gender equality, quality education and sustainable growth. AU is also committed to revise the structure of the curriculum to include higher percentage of critical long term sustainable thinking skills with social responsibility across all fields. AU aims to produce society ready graduates equipped with social responsibility and life-long learning skills to support managing global growth and sustainability.

Sustainable Development Goals

SDGs Commitment

AU developed Sustainable Development Plan (2021-2025), the plan is developed to reflect AU's commitment towards UNSDGs and to contribute to National Strategies as well as International Standards.

This plan is committed to contribute to national strategies and Initiatives (2030) and create an impact at National, Regional and International Level for sustainable future for our next generations.

The plan is focused on SDGs as a priority, AU carefully selected the 7 SDGs with assurance of its relationships with national strategies and government directions, AU emphasis on Quality Education and providing a sustainable future for all and promotes UNSDGs to be part of its core functions, teaching and learning, research as well as community.

Integrating Education Sustainable Development (ESD) Skills within Academic Programs

Ahlia University academic programs was revised with a consideration of Educational for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework by UNESCO. AU aligned the ESD competencies with AU graduate attributes with a focus on key skills including (adaptability, personal resilience, connectivity, engagement, negotiation, global citizenship, research, ethics and innovation). The key skills are integrated within courses through specific intended learning outcomes related to knowledge, applied skills, critical thinking and general and transferable skills.

Conducting Annual Conferences tackling UNSDGs

Ahlia University in collaboration with Brunel University of London and University of Business and Technology (KSA) is conducting the annual conference tackling Equal Opportunities in the fields of Business and Technology. The conference attracted 170 researchers from 27 different countries including GCC, UK, USA and Africa. The conference also attracts policy makers from regulatory authorities including the Supreme Council of Women to discuss vital topics related to women empowerment, gender equality etc. The outcome of the conference includes publishable research in Scopus indexed proceeding.

Voluntary Reporting of AU's Commitment

Ahlia University is committed to knowledge sharing therefore, AU reports annually the major achievements against UNSDGs and share it voluntary through United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) Platform. The platform includes progress tracking on the committed actions which includes integration of UNSDGs in the curriculum to support UNSDG4.

International Partnerships and Agreements for Sustainable Development

Ahlia University has strengthened its global network by signing formal agreements with foreign universities and institutions to collaborate on SDG-related education and research. A notable recent example is the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2024 with Northern Technical University (Iraq). This comprehensive partnership is designed to foster academic and research exchange between Bahrain and Iraq.

Northern Technical University Agreement

In a significant move to enhance academic relations and international cooperation, Northern Technical University, represented by its President, Professor Dr. Alyaa Abbas Ali Al-Attar, has reached an agreement with Ahlia University in the Kingdom of Bahrain on October 3, 2024.

This comprehensive academic collaboration aims to foster the exchange of academic and research expertise between the two universities.

The agreement encompasses organizing joint programs in education and scientific research, developing postgraduate programs, and facilitating student and academic exchanges. A Letter of Intent (LOI) has been agreed to be signed between the two institutions, establishing a formal framework for future cooperation. The LOI includes the following key points:

• Academic and Researcher Exchange: This collaboration will enable faculty members from both universities to deliver lectures and participate in scientific research.
• Student Exchange: Programs will be organized to allow students from both universities to study and benefit from diverse educational experiences.
• Joint Scientific Research: Support will be provided for collaborative research projects between the two universities in areas of mutual interest, particularly in technology, applied sciences, and artificial intelligence.
• Joint Academic Programs: Development of shared educational programs, including bachelor's and master's degrees focusing on new specializations such as technology and modern sciences.
• Professional Training and Workshops: Organization of joint workshops and training programs to enhance the academic and research skills of students and faculty members.

The signing of this Letter of Intent marks the first step towards establishing a long-term strategic partnership between the two universities. This initiative is expected to significantly contribute to strengthening scientific and educational cooperation between Iraq and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Brunel University London Partnership

Another cornerstone of Ahlia's international collaboration is its long-standing partnership with Brunel University London (UK). Through this alliance, Ahlia offers joint postgraduate programs and leverages Brunel's research expertise to enhance its own academic capacity.

For example, Ahlia hosts two doctoral programs in Management and Information Technology in cooperation with Brunel, allowing local scholars to pursue PhDs under international supervision. In addition, Ahlia delivers a Master of Engineering Management degree in partnership with George Washington University (USA), integrating global best practices into its curriculum.

Joint International Projects and SDG Initiatives

Ahlia University has actively co-developed academic, scientific, and cultural projects with international partners to advance various SDGs. One flagship initiative is the Equal Opportunities International Conference, which Ahlia has co-organized annually alongside Brunel University London and the University of Business and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

6th Equal Opportunities Conference

The 6th Equal Opportunities Conference "Sustainable Leadership and Technology Innovation Management" is organized by Ahlia University in collaboration with Brunel University London and the University of Business and Technology KSA.

The Conference aims to gather leading academics, professionals, scholars, and researchers to share their knowledge and new ideas and discuss current developments in the field of Sustainable Leadership and Technology Innovation Management focusing on Equal Opportunities in relation to leadership and sustainable management. This conference aims to shed the light on topics related to the use of technology and innovation management that could support business sustainability and leadership engagement.

The conference aims to tackle issues related to the following aspects:

• Assess the impact of sustainable leadership, technology, and innovation on organizational effectiveness.
• Shed light on different sustainable leadership practices in relation to the use of digital sustainability, technology, and innovation.
• Publish high-quality research that focuses on sustainable leadership in a transformative environment covering various contextual factors.
• Act as a guide for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers while devising or revising policies and procedures related to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

WTUN Exchange Program 2024-25

Meet the 18 successful participants of this year's WTUN Exchange Programme who following selection by the assessment panel will each be awarded up to £2,000 (GBP) to support their proposed collaboration with a fellow WTUN member university.

The WTUN Exchange Program runs annually and provides academic and professional services staff and PhD students the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at a member institution of their choosing. Participants of the Exchange Program are awarded up to £2,000 (GBP) to support them in their shared projects, facilitating face-to-face collaboration in new research environments and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural landscapes of the hosting institution.

The WTUN Exchange Program has led to outcomes such as student exchanges, collaborative research projects, joint publications, and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between institutions. Previous Exchange Program partnerships have focused on areas such as renewable energy storage, the promotion of healthy childhood movement within school curriculum, and multi-dimensional models for promoting equity in higher education.

International Exchange Programs and Women's Empowerment

Integral to Ahlia University's SDG collaborations are programs for international exchange of students and faculty, often with a strong emphasis on women's empowerment and cultural inclusivity. In recent years, Ahlia has encouraged its students to gain overseas experience through partnerships that integrate sustainability topics into exchange curricula.

Ahlia University Offers Free Summer Courses and Programmes Outside the Kingdom

Mr. Ammar Al-Hawaj, the Executive Director of Communications and International Relations, has encouraged students to enroll in the international student exchange programme, which has positive impact on refining the students' personalities, enhancing their life skills, and improving their scientific and professional capabilities.

He said that participating in an international master summer school allows students to experience studying abroad for a semester or two, in which they deal with the topic of the Circular Economy and Sustainability related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Mr. Al-Hawaj explained that the University offers free summer courses and programmes outside the Kingdom of Bahrain. He clarified that these programmes are organised by a number of international universities such as Bradford University in the United Kingdom. The student will pay only the travel cost, while the accommodation and the programme will be free of charge. This summer, 5 masters students from the MBA, FinTech, and Engineering Management programmes, have participated in the IMSS.

Participation in Global SDG Monitoring and Benchmarking

Ahlia University's commitment to sustainable development is further demonstrated by its active participation in multinational SDG assessment and monitoring initiatives. By engaging in these global frameworks, Ahlia contributes data on its performance and learns from international benchmarks to improve its impact.

A key venue for this is the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, a worldwide evaluation of universities' contributions to each of the 17 SDGs. Ahlia has submitted detailed SDG data to THE annually and achieved remarkable results: in 2021, it was ranked 14th globally overall, and in 2022 it placed 23rd globally - making it the top-ranked institution in Bahrain for sustainable development impact.

In addition to rankings, Ahlia University engages with UN-led monitoring platforms. Each year, Ahlia prepares a comprehensive SDG progress report that it shares via the UN HESI (Higher Education Sustainability Initiative) online portal. This voluntary reporting covers the university's major SDG-aligned achievements - for example, integration of SDG themes into curricula (supporting SDG4), community service projects, research contributions, and policy advocacy results.

Conclusion

Over the 2020-2025 period, Ahlia University has deeply integrated international collaboration into its pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. The university has secured global partnerships - from formal agreements with universities in the Middle East, Europe, and North America to active membership in UN sustainability networks - thereby creating channels for sharing SDG-related data, expertise, and resources.

Through joint academic projects like conferences and research initiatives, Ahlia and its partners have addressed critical issues such as gender equality, digital innovation, health, and environmental sustainability on a multinational stage. At the same time, Ahlia's robust exchange programs for students and faculty have enriched its educational offerings, with a special focus on empowering women and cultivating globally competent graduates.

Finally, Ahlia's engagement in international SDG assessments and reporting has reinforced its accountability and leadership, with the university's achievements gaining worldwide recognition. Taken together, these efforts highlight Ahlia University's role as an active contributor to the global 2030 Agenda, using international collaboration as a catalyst to advance sustainable development locally and beyond.