Sustainable Development Goals Initiatives 2023–2024

Teaching and Learning

17.4.2 Education for SDGs: specific courses on sustainability

Does your university as a body have dedicated courses (full degrees, or electives) that address sustainability and the SDGs?

The University of Bahrain (UoB) demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to embedding sustainability and SDG principles into academic programs, fully addressing THE Impact Rankings Indicator 17.4.2. Through dedicated degree programs, specialized electives, and curriculum-integrated projects, UoB equips students with the knowledge and competencies required to advance sustainable development.

Key Highlights:

• Dedicated Degree Programs:

• • Sc. in Sustainable Energy Transition Systems – Focused on clean energy, carbon reduction, and climate action, aligning with SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 11, and SDG 13.
  • Postgraduate Renewable Energy Courses (REE601–REE605) – Cover solar, wind, geothermal, and hybrid systems, promoting innovation and low-carbon solutions.

• Specialized Undergraduate & Postgraduate Courses:

• • Sustainability Accounting & Reporting (ACC485, ACC630) – SDG 12, SDG 13.
  • Environmental Economics & Sustainable Development (ECON351) – SDG 8, SDG 13, SDG 15.
  • Sustainable Finance (FIN330, FIN634) – SDG 7, SDG 13.
  • Entrepreneurship and Sustainability (ENTR476) – SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 12.
  • Teaching Environmental & Earth Sciences (TC1SC348, TC2SCT413) – SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 14, SDG 15.
  • STEAM Education for Primary Teachers (TCST418) – SDG 4, SDG 3.
  • Urban Design & Sustainable Architecture (ARCG317, ARCU624) – SDG 11, SDG 13.

• Integration Across Disciplines:

• • Architecture and engineering courses embed SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through design studios and technical projects.
  • Civil engineering courses address SDG 6 (Clean Water) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) via water supply and wastewater treatment modules.

• Global Partnerships Enhancing Sustainability Education:

• • MoU with British University of Bahrain for joint sustainability-focused programs.
  • Collaboration with CERN embedding sustainability principles in STEM education and research projects.

Measurable Outcomes:

• 30+ courses explicitly aligned with SDGs across undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• 1 full master’s program dedicated to sustainable energy transition.
• Multiple curriculum-integrated projects addressing renewable energy, climate action, and sustainable urban design.
• International collaborations ensuring global benchmarking and experiential learning opportunities.

Performance Data for 2024–2025:

• 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 commitment to embedding sustainability and SDG principles into academic programs.

UoB’s comprehensive approach to sustainability education—through dedicated programs, specialized courses, and global partnerships—positions it as a regional leader in advancing SDG literacy and innovation. These initiatives operationalize SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), ensuring graduates are prepared to drive sustainable transformation locally and globally.

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