An academic who lost her career and became a refugee when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan has been conferred as a Visiting Professor at De Montfort University (DMU), which serves as the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) SDG 11 Hub Chair.

Atefa Waseq was stripped of her teaching role and her right to pursue a doctorate when the Taliban seized power. After Taliban fighters retook Kabul on 15 August 2021, edicts restricting women’s movement and banning women and girls from secondary and higher education left over 78 per cent of Afghan women out of education, a situation UN Women has warned is increasingly untenable.

The Regional Institute of Gender, Diversity, Peace, and Rights (RIGDPR) at Ahfad University for Women (AUW) in Sudan—UNAI SDG Hub 1 Vice-Chair for Outreach and Partnership—leads student-centered internships with partners across sectors. Despite ongoing conflict in the country, students have contributed to gender assessments, empowerment workshops, and psychosocial support for displaced women—bridging academic training with real-world action and driving meaningful social change.

UNAI member institution University of Aveiro (UAveiro) in Portugal has achieved a national milestone as the first higher education institution in Portugal to be certified under the ISO 20121 standard for its Sustainable Events Management System. The certification covers all stages of event organization—from planning to execution—and ensures environmentally responsible, socially just, and economically viable practices. 

CHRIST University, India, the UN Academic Impact SDG 5 Hub Chair for Gender Equality, held an event on 26 July 2025 titled “Voices of Equality.” The full day gathering brought university faculty and students together with social activists, government officials, UN representatives, corporate leaders, and civil society representatives. 

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 Lyngøy, often referred to as “Plastic Island” off the coast of Hellesøy. The day was filled with strong impressions — and some good news for the island’s ecosystem.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) marked its centenary with a four-day symposium in Cape Town, South Africa (13–16 October 2, focused on “Global Responsibility – Local Impact: Higher Education Partnerships for the SDGs.” 

In line with its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNAI member institution Kayseri University in Türkiye celebrated World Car-Free Day 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.

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. 

The University of São 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 São 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.

UNAI member institution Kayseri University in Türkiye 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.