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 “'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for 2030”.

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.

UNAI member institution Koya University proudly announces the launch of the “Koya University Sustainability and Environment Protection Prize”, 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.

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.

This May, UNAI member institution The State University of Maringá 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.

Initially established as an industrial training institute, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT University) in Odisha, India has grown into a globally recognized university, offering a wide array of courses across multiple disciplines. Now, in a landmark partnership, KIIT University and the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) have joined forces to create transformative learning opportunities for young leaders and changemakers.

On 22 March, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering, and Management Sciences organized a workshop to educate the university gardeners on the importance of water conservation in celebration of the World Water Day 2025, providing them with practical tips and strategies to reduce water wastage in a session delivered by Mr. Sulaiman Kasi, Director Administration & General Services.

The Handong UNITWIN Fellowship OpenCourseWare program at UNAI member institution Handong Global University has supported over 900 professors in 20 developing countries, enhancing teaching capacity and student access to free educational resources. This semester, it is assisting 25 professors in creating online lecture materials and has introduced a video on interactive online teaching.

‘SDGs by 2030 – are we on track?’ is a digital resource showing how academics at the University of Sydney are working to achieve specific SDG targets. The endeavour includes 29 short narratives, infographics and student assignments that can be used as teaching prompts for academics looking to incorporate the SDGs into their course guides.

In recent years, societal risks such as inequality, along with environmental threats together with armed conflicts, have ranked among the world's top concerns, as the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer highlights an unprecedented level of distrust in government, NGOs, media, and, of course, business. In response, impact entrepreneurship has emerged as a powerful force for addressing some of the world's most urgent challenges.