International higher education partnerships contribute significantly to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a new study published today by the British Council and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).
The research, conducted by Technopolis on behalf of the British Council and ACU, research finds clear links between partnership activities and positive outcomes in all 17 SDGs, with Quality Education, Partnerships for the Goals, and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, emerging strongly.
International higher education partnerships contribute to the SDGs by helping students, academics, industry and wider society to share knowledge and ideas, to drive research and innovation, and to build skills through teaching and learning and in practice. However, the SDGs are interlinked and unlikely to be achieved in isolation, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches.
International higher education partnerships are better equipped than single organisations to address societal issues because they bring together various types of partners from various disciplines, sectors and countries. The study provides evidence that international aid interventions in the form of an international partnership deliver added value, compared to other interventions.
The study also finds that mutual trust and open communication, a shared vision and long-term commitment to working together are vital to the success of the partnerships, along with the engagement of senior institutional leaders. Challenges are also highlighted, including the COVID-19 pandemic, complex governance structures and resistance to change in the higher education sector, and a volatile funding environment
The research identified partnership activities and outcomes for each SDG. The ten case studies within the research include Prepared for Practice, a partnership between universities in the UK and in Somaliland to address Good Health and Well-being; and GroFutures, a programme involving 11 partner universities and research institutes across seven countries that contributes to several SDGs including Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Gender Equality, and Life on Land.
Dr Joanna Newman MBE, Chief Executive and Secretary General of the ACU, said:
‘None of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved without the contribution of higher education. This study provides valuable evidence of the benefits that international partnerships between universities deliver for individuals, communities and societies.
‘In order to maximise these benefits, we need to maintain and grow sustainable and innovative funding environments for higher education, based on the principles of equitable partnerships.’
Maddalaine Ansell, Director of Education at the British Council, said:
‘Successful international collaboration brings benefits to all partners, including strengthened curricula, innovative pedagogies and improved international reputation. The partnership model itself adds a significant value to investment from international donors and funders.
‘The international HE community has a crucial role in addressing global challenges. Because of its strength in higher education and through convening organisations like the British Council and the ACU, the UK can be at the heart of partnerships committed to achieving the SDGs.’
Read the report
You can download the full report here: Role of international higher education partnerships in contributing to the sustainable development goals
You can also download a short Factsheet covering some of the key themes of the report, plus Case studies exploring some of the partnerships in depth.
Watch the 60 minute webinar
On Wednesday 12 January 2022 we held an online report launch event sharing the headlines from this study, followed by an exploratory discussion with an expert panel, including the report authors, programme funders and global higher education leaders. The panel includes:
- Maddalaine Ansell, Director Education, British Council
- Adam Krcal, Principal Consultant, Technopolis Group
- Professor Pamela Dube, Deputy-Vice Chancellor: Student Development and Support, University of the Western Cape, South Africa and Co-Chair of the ACU’s Higher Education and the SDGs Network
- Nikki Stoddart, Head of Scholarships, Tertiary Education & Partnerships, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK)
- Dr Albert Luswata, Senior Lecturer (Ethics) and Director, Institute of Ethics, Uganda Martyrs University.
- Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary General, The Association of Commonwealth Universities
More information
The study represents the latest output from a collaboration between the ACU and British Council – with expert input from Universities UK International - that is exploring the role of universities in global development.
If you are interested in international HE partnerships and the SDGs, take a look at our Higher Education and the SDGs Network, a forum for ACU member universities who are directly engaging in the SDGs agenda.
Image (top) © Mat Wright