Jeddah, The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) will host the Global Sustainable Development Congress of the Times Higher Education (THE) Magazine between May 30 and June 1, 2023, in a first such event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The congress is expected to attract over 1,000 participants from among thought leaders and innovators in the higher education, government, business and civil community sectors who will discuss urgent solutions to issues related to sustainability.
The three-day event will discuss about matters and actions universities should tackle to help society achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), hold a series of thought-provoking panel discussions and collaborative action seminars that will provide bold insights, help form strong new alliances among various sectors, and cover four main tracks that will help effect the transformations needed to achieve the following objectives: health and population science, sustainable energy and industry, sustainable environment, sustainable cities and societies.
KAUST President Professor Tony Chan stressed that universities should be more responsive to pressing global issues, adding that the congress is a call to action and an invitation for the world’s universities to guide their educational, research and innovative programmes and raise awareness towards tangible and effective outcomes.
Chief Global Affairs Officer of THE Magazine Phil Baty said that the Kingdom has a vital strategic role in achieving SDGs, noting that a world-leading research and development institution such as KAUST, which hosts this event, will help achieve a more sustainable future, where participants will be able to see outstanding research on ocean protection and support arid land cultivation.
Chief Data Officer at THE Duncan Ross said: “The congress was designed to inspire strategic change for universities committed to supporting the SDGs and providing practical and tangible plans to achieve the envisioned transformation, and this year’s event provides an opportunity to add a human context to the data, allowing representatives and participants to work together creatively and innovatively.”
At the congress, THE Magazine will reveal the list classifying influential universities for 2023, along with major courses on how to use data that measures the efforts of 1,700 universities worldwide towards achieving the SDGs.
Source: Saudi Press Agency