Higher education and the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The article focuses on higher education and Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Universities play a key role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 and its 2030 Agenda. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with an analysis of the relationship between Sustainable Development Goal-4 and higher education. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, cover a wide range of issues related to socio-economic, environmental and technological development and apply to all countries in the world. In addition to primary and secondary education, the Sustainable Development Goals are now placing more emphasis on higher education. This was an important step because higher education was not part of the Millennium Development Goals agenda. Sustainable Development Goal 4 calls for equal access to quality education, including higher education. Furthermore, higher education institutions play an important role in achieving all of the Sustainable Development Goals due to their special role in shaping human consciousness, knowledge production and innovation. Furthermore, higher education institutions have a responsibility to help people fulfill their role as citizens and to provide skills and competences to future professionals to meet the challenges of sustainable development.