Global Sustainability Networks, Partnerships and Institutional Engagement

1. Overview

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) actively participates in leading international sustainability, climate action, higher education, and green skills networks that support the advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration, sustainability literacy, climate resilience, and responsible global engagement.

Through these memberships and strategic engagements, PSAU strengthens institutional capacity, contributes to international policy dialogue, promotes sustainability-focused collaboration, enhances sustainability literacy, and advances Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives within higher education.

PSAU’s participation in these global networks additionally supports:

  • sustainability governance and institutional transformation; 
  • ESG integration and reporting; 
  • sustainability-focused teaching and research; 
  • climate action and green skills development; 
  • interdisciplinary collaboration; 
  • international benchmarking and impact assessment; 
  • equitable Global South partnerships; 
  • sustainability literacy and competency development. 

 

2. United Nations (UN)’s Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI)

2.1 Overview

PSAU is a participating institution in the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), a global partnership coordinated by United Nations entities and international higher education organisations to advance sustainability integration within universities worldwide.

2.2 Objectives of the Network

HESI supports higher education institutions in:

  • integrating the SDGs into teaching, research, and operations; 
  • promoting sustainability leadership; 
  • advancing climate action and responsible institutional governance; 
  • supporting youth engagement and sustainability literacy; 
  • strengthening partnerships for sustainable development; 
  • encouraging institutional accountability and sustainability reporting. 

 

The initiative additionally promotes collaborative action among universities, governments, international organisations, and civil society.

2.3 PSAU Engagement

Through HESI engagement, PSAU supports international sustainability collaboration and institutional transformation aligned with:

  • Saudi Vision 2030; 
  • the PSAU SDG Roadmap; 
  • ESG integration; 
  • sustainability-focused curriculum development; 
  • institutional sustainability reporting. 

PSAU’s participation additionally complements its broader sustainability ecosystem including SDG Weeks, sustainability literacy initiatives, green skills development, and Global South collaboration.

2.4 Evidence / Membership Links

 

3.  HESI Community of Practice and Post-2030 SDG Dialogue

Beyond institutional participation in the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) actively contributes to the broader strategic and intellectual activities of the initiative through the involvement of its faculty member, Dr Abdullah M. Elias, within HESI’s Expert Group (EG)/Community of Practice (CoP).

Dr Elias from PSAU’s college of engineering with his background in intelligent systems engineering and passion for advancing the SDGs provides PSAU with a voice to engage in a collaborative global platform bringing together universities, researchers, policy experts, international organisations, and sustainability practitioners to advance higher education’s contribution towards sustainable development and the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Community additionally supports dialogue relating to emerging global sustainability priorities, higher education transformation, sustainability competencies, and future frameworks beyond the current 2030 SDG Agenda.

Through Dr Elias’s representation within this expert-driven platform, PSAU contributes to international conversations and collaborative engagements focused on:

  • strengthening sustainability integration within higher education; 
  • advancing interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary SDG implementation; 
  • promoting sustainability literacy and green skills development; 
  • supporting equitable Global South engagement and knowledge exchange; 
  • enhancing ESG integration and institutional accountability; 
  • shaping innovative higher education responses to global sustainability challenges;  
  • contributing to discussions regarding the evolution and post-2030 configuration of the SDGs and related global sustainability frameworks. 

 

PSAU’s engagement within the HESI Community of Practice aligns closely with the university’s broader sustainability ecosystem, including:

  • the PSAU 2030 SDG Roadmap; 
  • the PSAU Global South Partnership (GSP); 
  • sustainability literacy initiatives through Sulitest TASK™; 
  • green skills and sustainability competency development; 
  • SDG-focused curriculum transformation; 
  • sustainability-oriented research and innovation; 
  • interdisciplinary international collaboration. 

 

The university’s participation additionally reflects PSAU’s growing role as a contributor to international sustainability governance and policy dialogue within higher education, particularly from the perspective of institutions within the Global South and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Through these engagements, PSAU contributes to collective efforts aimed at ensuring that future global sustainability frameworks beyond 2030 are:

  • inclusive and equitable; 
  • responsive to regional and Global South priorities; 
  • centred on sustainability competencies and green skills; 
  • aligned with ethical, social, environmental, and economic resilience; 
  • supportive of collaborative and interdisciplinary knowledge systems. 

This participation further strengthens PSAU’s international visibility and reinforces its institutional commitment to contributing actively to global sustainability transformation, responsible higher education leadership, and the advancement of sustainable development at local, regional, and international levels.

 

Relevant Links

4. Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

4.1 Overview

PSAU participates in the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a global initiative established under the auspices of the United Nations to mobilise scientific and educational institutions towards implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

4.2 Objectives of the Network

SDSN seeks to:

  • promote evidence-based SDG implementation; 
  • strengthen sustainability-focused education and research; 
  • support interdisciplinary collaboration; 
  • facilitate policy engagement and knowledge exchange; 
  • advance sustainable development solutions; 
  • mobilise universities and research institutions for societal impact. 

The network supports collaboration between universities, governments, industry, and civil society organisations globally.

4.3 PSAU Engagement

PSAU’s participation in SDSN aligns with its institutional sustainability transformation agenda and supports:

  • SDG-oriented research; 
  • interdisciplinary sustainability education; 
  • sustainability-focused partnerships; 
  • climate resilience initiatives; 
  • Global South engagement; 
  • responsible innovation and knowledge exchange. 

The university’s sustainability-focused activities, including the PSAU Global South Partnership (GSP), SDG funding programmes, sustainability curriculum integration, and student innovation initiatives, support the objectives of the SDSN framework.

4.4 Evidence / Membership Links

5. Sulitest Change Leader Network

5.1 Overview

PSAU is part of the Sulitest and TASK™ sustainability literacy ecosystem and participates within the broader Sulitest Change Leader community promoting sustainability competency and green skills development across higher education institutions worldwide.

5.2 Objectives of the Network

The Sulitest Change Leader framework seeks to:

  • promote sustainability literacy and competency development; 
  • assess sustainability knowledge and green skills; 
  • strengthen climate citizenship and responsible leadership; 
  • support SDG-oriented education transformation; 
  • benchmark sustainability competency internationally; 
  • embed sustainability within teaching, learning, and institutional culture. 

 

5.3 PSAU Engagement

PSAU has institutionalised TASK™ across multiple university functions including:

  • sustainability literacy assessment; 
  • curriculum-linked sustainability education; 
  • mobility and exchange programmes; 
  • SDG-focused research funding; 
  • student development; 
  • faculty sustainability training; 
  • alumni lifelong learning initiatives. 

TASK™ is used institution-wide across students, faculty, staff, researchers, mobility participants, alumni, and Global South Partnership collaborators.

The university additionally implements mandatory pre- and post-engagement TASK™ assessments within:

  • PSAU GSP funding programmes; 
  • sustainability-focused mobility initiatives; 
  • student exchange programmes; 
  • SDG-oriented research activities. 

PSAU’s sustainability literacy strategy positions the university as a regional leader in sustainability competency integration and green skills development.

 

5.4 Evidence / Membership Links

 

6. Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Network

6.1 Overview

PSAU actively engages with Times Higher Education (THE) sustainability initiatives and impact-focused global higher education networks supporting institutional sustainability transformation and SDG implementation.

6.2 Objectives of the Network

THE sustainability engagement platforms aim to:

  • advance university contributions to the SDGs; 
  • promote sustainability benchmarking and accountability; 
  • facilitate global collaboration and knowledge exchange; 
  • support impact-driven higher education transformation; 
  • strengthen institutional sustainability leadership; 
  • showcase sustainability innovation and societal impact. 

 

6.3 PSAU Engagement

PSAU has developed strong strategic engagement with THE through:

  • participation in THE Impact Rankings; 
  • sustainability reporting and benchmarking; 
  • SDG-focused institutional transformation; 
  • Green Skills initiatives; 
  • participation in global sustainability forums; 
  • collaboration within sustainability-focused higher education networks. 

PSAU additionally serves as a Green Skills Partner within global sustainability engagement activities linked to the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC).

The university’s sustainability leadership includes:

  • implementation of sustainability literacy frameworks; 
  • advancement of green skills development; 
  • student-focused SDG innovation initiatives; 
  • international sustainability partnerships. 

 

6.4 Evidence / Membership Links

 

7. PSAU Global South Partnership (PSAU GSP)

7.1 Overview

The PSAU Global South Partnership (PSAU GSP) is a university-led international sustainability collaboration platform established by PSAU to promote equitable Global South engagement, sustainability-oriented knowledge exchange, SDG-focused innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The partnership has expanded to include institutions and collaborators from multiple countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and other Global South regions.

7.2 Objectives of the Partnership

The PSAU GSP seeks to:

  • strengthen South–South collaboration; 
  • promote equitable sustainability partnerships; 
  • support SDG-focused research and innovation; 
  • facilitate sustainability-focused mobility; 
  • advance climate resilience and inclusive development; 
  • support sustainability literacy and green skills; 
  • foster interdisciplinary collaboration; 
  • promote community-centred sustainable development. 

The partnership framework operates across five interconnected pillars:

  • People;  
  • Planet;  
  • Prosperity;  
  • Peace;  
  • Partnerships.  

 

 

7.3 PSAU Engagement and Leadership

PSAU serves as the coordinating institution and governance lead for the partnership through the SDG and ESG Strategy and Implementation Unit under the Rankings, Strategy, and Institutional Advancement Department (RASU).

The university coordinates:

  • collaborative SDG research initiatives; 
  • sustainability funding programmes; 
  • student innovation showcases; 
  • sustainability-focused mobility programmes; 
  • green skills initiatives; 
  • institutional sustainability literacy frameworks; 
  • interdisciplinary policy engagement. 

The PSAU GSP additionally integrates mandatory sustainability literacy assessment through TASK™ for numerous funding and mobility initiatives.

7.4 Evidence / Membership Links

 

8. International Green Skills and Sustainability Engagement

8.1 Overview

PSAU has emerged as a leading institution in sustainability literacy, green skills development, and sustainability-focused higher education transformation.

As founding partner for the UN-backed International Green Skills & Learning Initiative, PSAU actively contributes to international dialogue and initiatives relating to:

  • green skills development; 
  • sustainability competency assessment; 
  • ESG integration; 
  • SDG-oriented education transformation; 
  • sustainability-focused workforce development. 

 

8.2 Objectives of Engagement

These initiatives seek to:

  • strengthen sustainability competencies; 
  • support climate-conscious workforce development; 
  • integrate sustainability into higher education systems; 
  • promote responsible innovation and ethical leadership; 
  • prepare students for green economy transitions. 

 

8.3 PSAU Leadership and Contributions

PSAU has distinguished itself through:

  • implementation of sustainability literacy frameworks; 
  • institutionalisation of TASK™; 
  • sustainability-focused curriculum integration; 
  • SDG-oriented engineering and innovation education; 
  • international sustainability partnerships; 
  • interdisciplinary green skills initiatives. 

The university additionally promotes sustainability literacy and climate citizenship through:

  • SDG Weeks; 
  • engineering design poster days; 
  • student sustainability showcases; 
  • sustainability mobility programmes; 
  • community engagement initiatives; 
  • lifelong learning outreach programmes. 

 

8.4 Evidence / Engagement Links

 

9. Institutional Commitment

Through its active participation in global sustainability networks, partnerships, benchmarking systems, and green skills initiatives, PSAU demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to:

  • advancing sustainable development; 
  • strengthening climate action and ESG integration; 
  • promoting sustainability-focused education and research; 
  • supporting ethical and inclusive international collaboration; 
  • enhancing sustainability literacy and green skills; 
  • empowering students and staff as sustainability leaders; 
  • contributing meaningfully to Saudi Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

These engagements collectively reinforce PSAU’s position as a globally connected, sustainability-oriented university committed to responsible institutional transformation and long-term societal impact.

 

Last Update Date For Page Content : 10/05/2026 - 16:05 Saudi Arabia Time

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