Teaching and Learning
SDG 17: Focus Areas
17.4.1 Education for SDGs commitment to meaningful education
Does your university as a body have a commitment to meaningful education around the SDGs across the university, that is relevant and applicable to all students?
- As what?
- integrated across full curriculum,
- mandatory education for all,
- optional education for all.
The University of Bahrain (UoB) demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to meaningful education on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring relevance and accessibility for all students through mandatory courses, integrated curriculum, and optional offerings.
Mandatory Education for All
UoB delivers a university-wide compulsory course—HRLC107 Principles of Human Rights—to all undergraduate students across colleges. In 2023–2024, 5,371 students completed this course, which embeds SDG principles such as environmental rights, social justice, and global citizenship. Materials are accessible via Blackboard and supported by an official textbook and recorded lectures.
Performance Data for September 2024:
- Level One Courses
- 1st Semester: Total Students = 1,882, Students achieving ≥70% = 976
- 2nd Semester: Total Students = 1,990, Students achieving ≥70% = 1,549
- Level Two Courses
- 2nd Semester: Total Students = 1,081, Students achieving ≥70% = 604
This demonstrates strong engagement and achievement in SDG-related mandatory education.
Integrated Across Full Curriculum
SDG themes are systematically embedded across programs in business, engineering, education, and architecture, including courses such as Sustainability Accounting & Reporting, Environmental Economics & Sustainable Development, Teaching Environmental & Earth Sciences, and STEAM Education for Primary Teachers. These courses link theory to real-world sustainability challenges, advancing SDG 4.7 competencies.
Optional Education for All
Students have access to SDG-related electives and global learning opportunities, including Renewable Energy Systems, Social Entrepreneurship, and credit-bearing Chinese language courses through the Confucius Institute partnership. These initiatives foster intercultural understanding and sustainability literacy.
Impact Highlights
- Mandatory SDG course reaching all undergraduates.
- 100+ SDG-aligned courses integrated across disciplines.
- Strategic partnerships with Shanghai University, AAOIFI, and others to co-develop sustainable education frameworks.
Conclusion:
Through mandatory, integrated, and optional SDG education, UoB ensures every student gains knowledge and skills to advance sustainable development, fully meeting THE Impact Rankings criteria for Indicator 17.4.1.
Download: University of Bahrain 17.4.1 Education for SDGs commitment to meaningful education
