Each month, an individual at a different ACU member institution is invited to write the introduction for this newsletter, providing an opportunity to highlight different perspectives. This month, Philip McGowan, from Newcastle University, UK and Pamela Dube from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, writes for us about higher education and the SDGs. Dear , It’s been nearly six years since the world’s governments agreed the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, and these 17 goals increasingly feature in our universities, in businesses and in local government. This increasing familiarity with the SDGs is critical if we are to make good progress by the 2030 deadline for meeting these environmental, social and development goals. Universities have an enormous role to play in advancing the SDGs. This is not just because ‘Quality Education’ is one of the goals itself, but because all the goals require the generation of knowledge and development of skills that universities make possible. The ACU has recognised this by establishing the Higher Education and the SDGs Network that we are honoured to co-chair. We recently held our first event, led by Graham Long, Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University, UK, which considered the contributions that universities are already making to the SDGs locally. It is easy to consider that our institutions need to have impact internationally to be noticed, but local impact is vital if the Goals are to be achieved. There are a great many ways in which universities are engaging locally, through research, education and local partnerships. These impacts are making a very real difference and we will be developing the theme further in a masterclass at the Going Global conference 15-17 June 2021. We are also delighted that the ACU launched the HE and the SDGs Challenge Grants this year for university staff to fund collaborative work aligned with the network’s themes. The deadline has only just passed, and we look forward to congratulating the successful applicants and seeing how their projects unfold. There are huge opportunities for universities to play a leading role in pursuing the SDGs and so please do consider joining the ACU Higher Education and the SDGs Network to support our work and increase our reach and impact.
Philip McGowan, Professor of Conservation Science and Policy, Newcastle University, UK
Pamela Dube, Deputy-Vice Chancellor: Student Development and Support, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Co-Chairs, ACU Higher Education and the SDGs Network Steering Committee
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