Introduction

American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) demonstrates a strong commitment to social sustainability by integrating relevant training and educational initiatives into its academic and extracurricular frameworks. These efforts are designed to equip students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to address social challenges and promote sustainable development within the community. ​

Curriculum Integration

https://www.aiub.edu/iqac/sdgs

AIUB incorporates social sustainability topics into its academic programs across various disciplines. For instance, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program offers courses such as "Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility," which addresses Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to quality education, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, and climate action. Additionally, the "Ethics, Sustainability, and Communication for Development" course aligns with SDGs focusing on quality education, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, and climate action.​

 Education at AIUB for Sustainability

https://www.aiub.edu/iqac/sdgs/aiub-sdg-activity-report-2023/sdg17-aiubactivityreportof2023/sdg-initiative/education-at-aiub-for-sustainability

Furthermore, AIUB's Master of Development Studies (MDS) program is specifically designed to address all the SDGs, equipping graduates with the cognitive and practical skills necessary to achieve these goals.

American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) has a strong commitment to sustainability through its education for SDGs, offering dedicated courses—both full degree programs and electives—that integrate sustainability principles. These courses span multiple disciplines, focusing on equipping students with the knowledge and skills to address global sustainability challenges. By embedding the SDGs into its academic offerings, AIUB aims to foster a generation of graduates prepared to contribute effectively to sustainable development goals in their careers and communities.

Among the 17 programs offered from 4 Faculties of AIUB, there is a program titled ‘Masters of Development Studies (MDS)s’ is designed to address all the SDGs. The program curriculum of MDS and Syllabus are addressing the ways to achieve the targets and goals mentioned in the manual of SDGs. The graduates of MDS are equipped with the cognitive and psychomotor skills along with the attitude to fulfil the desired goals.

A good number of courses from other programs offered from different faculties are addressing different goals based on the program they offer. The students will be learning the goals and target that need to be achieved through different norms and criteria through the courses they have in their respective programs.

The faculty members teaching the courses that address SDGs are equipped with required skills and knowledge that is shared with the students during the lecture hours and co-curricular activities. Different field trips and assignments are prepared by the students which shows the plans to achieve the respective goals.

Link: https://www.aiub.edu/Files/Uploads/total-aiub-sdg-course-mapping.pdf

Extracurricular Initiatives

AIUB Social Welfare Club – SHOMOY

https://www.aiub.edu/oncampus/clubs/aiub-social-welfare-club--shomoy

Beyond the classroom, AIUB fosters social sustainability through various student-led organizations and activities. The AIUB Social Welfare Club – Shomoy, established in 2009, provides students with opportunities to engage in social welfare issues, volunteer their time, and develop leadership skills. The club focuses on educating students about concerns such as poverty, gender discrimination, and food insecurity, thereby creating awareness of the SDGs and motivating the youth to take action through volunteerism and advocacy. ​

ASC focuses on volunteering for social causes ranging from flood relief, blood donations, winter clothing drives, self-defense, and various other charitable work. The club collaborates with numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to further pursue social welfare for a larger community. From teaching and training at a local school for underprivileged children to raising funds for providing rations to them on Eid, and even running campaigns for critically diagnosed patients of the AIUB community, supporting the university’s community service initiatives, ASC shapes future leaders to help bring about a positive change to develop the society.

 Conferences and Workshops

AIUB actively organizes and participates in conferences and workshops that emphasize social aspects of sustainability. The International Conference on Sustainable Development: Opportunities and Challenges, organized by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), facilitates the exchange of ideas among researchers from diverse fields, addressing issues such as poverty elimination, gender equality, environmental protection, and quality education. ​https://www.aiub.edu/international-conference-on-sustainable-development-opportunities-and-challenges

Additionally, AIUB has joined the "Responsible Futures International 2024/25" initiative, a global program that partners students with their institutions to embed sustainability in all aspects of student learning, fostering ethical leadership and sustainable practices in academia. https://www.aiub.edu/aiub-joins-responsible-futures-international-2024-2025

These training sessions aim to enhance understanding of issues such as social equity, community engagement, ethical practices, and inclusive development. By involving students, faculty, and staff, AIUB fosters a culture of responsibility and active participation in creating a more sustainable society. These programs not only build awareness but also encourage action-oriented approaches to addressing social challenges within the framework of sustainable development.

1. https://www.aiub.edu/world-environment-day-2024-celebrated-at-aiub
2. https://www.aiub.edu/aiub-environment-club-celebrated-world-environment-day
3. https://www.aiub.edu/webinar-on-solar-pv-energy-towards-carbon-neutrality-by-2050
4. https://www.aiub.edu/international-conference-on-sustainable-development-opportunities-and-challenges
5. https://www.aiub.edu/dr-anwarul-abedin-lecture-series-a-smart-wearable-air-quality-monitor-using-mems-ultrasound-technology
6. https://www.aiub.edu/webinar-on-save-your-planet-using-the-power-of-science-iot-automation-and-environmental-engineering

1. https://www.aiub.edu/poster-display--competition-by-the-department-of-social-science
2. https://www.aiub.edu/field-trip-to-panam-nagar-sonargaon-by-the-department-of-social-science
3. https://www.aiub.edu/speech-contest-on-contemporary-social-issues
4. https://www.aiub.edu/mph-students-of-aiub-makes-educational-field-trip-of-industries
5. https://www.aiub.edu/aiub-social-welfare-clubshomoy-carried-out-winter-clothing-drive-2024-25
6. https://www.aiub.edu/aiub-hosts-engaging-mobile-journalism-workshop
7. https://www.aiub.edu/workshop-on-legal-research-methodology
8. https://www.aiub.edu/cervical-cancer-awareness-program-at-aiub
9. https://www.aiub.edu/seminar-on-learning-the-experiences-of-microfinance-in-bangladesh
10. https://www.aiub.edu/harmonizing-cultures-live-love-and-flourish-by-mmc-department
11. https://www.aiub.edu/mco-project-responsible-and-responsive-universities--a-case-study-of-aiub-presented-at-iau-2024-conference
12. https://www.aiub.edu/seminar-on-financial-literacy-and-career-workshop
13. https://www.aiub.edu/exploring-cultural-diversity-and-sustainability-in-higher-education-insights-from-the-qs-higher-ed-summit-2024
14. https://www.aiub.edu/aiub-faculty-members-participated-in-magna-charta-observatory-research-workshop-ii
15. https://www.aiub.edu/faculty-members-of-aiub-participated-in-the-erasmus-ka171-program-at-mykolas-romeris-university-mru
16. https://www.aiub.edu/aiub-iqac-and-aiub-women-forum-organized-seminar-on-road-to-entrepreneurship
17. https://www.aiub.edu/apac-participates-at-bup-folk-fest-2024
18. https://www.aiub.edu/virtual-meeting-with-iaus-higher-education-and-research-for-sustainable-development-hesd-cluster-network
19. https://www.aiub.edu/department-of-law-organized-webinar-on-law-of-taxation
20. https://www.aiub.edu/aiub-is-a-signatory-of-magna-charta-universitatum-mcu
21. https://www.aiub.edu/oder-eid-amader-khushi-by-the-aiub-social-welfare-club---shomoy
22. https://www.aiub.edu/law-students-visited-district-and-sessions-judge-court-manikganj
23. https://www.aiub.edu/the-second-virtual-international-conference-on-womens-rights-in-emerging-societies
24. https://www.aiub.edu/blood-donation-campaign-organized-by-aiub-shomoy-club
25. https://www.aiub.edu/uni-canvas-celebrating-unity-in-diversity-through-art-fusion
26. https://www.aiub.edu/bangladesh-studies-course-poster-presentation-2014-
27. https://www.aiub.edu/language-fiesta-2024-
28. https://www.aiub.edu/policy-engagement-workshop-on-collaborative-research---social-innovation-through-technology-nudging-developing-a-behavioral-toolkit-for-diffusing-solar-irrigation
29. https://www.aiub.edu/seminar-on-sustainability-and-sdgs
30. https://www.aiub.edu/workshop-on-prospects-of-the-local-products-for-micro-small--medium-enterprises-in-bangladesh
31. https://www.aiub.edu/a-seminar-on-recent-legal-reforms-on-maternity-benefit-and-the-prevention-of-gender-based-violence-organized-by-the-department-of-law
32. https://www.aiub.edu/apqn-academic-conference-2023-inaugurated-at-aiub
33. https://www.aiub.edu/exploring-the-gothic-in-literature
34. https://www.aiub.edu/dr-anwarul-abedin-lecture-series-on--advancing-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash-through-ict-solutions
35. https://www.aiub.edu/mmc-students-visited-and-participated-in-a-community-development-project-at-jamdani-village-bargaon-sonargaon
36. https://www.aiub.edu/aiub-iqac-hosted-shomotontro-an-initiative-on-gender-justice-and-diversity-program-by-brac-ngo-to-address-sdg-5
37. https://www.aiub.edu/law-students-participated-in-criminal-trial-advocacy-program
38. https://www.aiub.edu/voices-from-the-root-celebration-of-language-and-mother-tongue
39. https://www.aiub.edu/study-tour-to-panam-city
40. https://www.aiub.edu/a-talk-on-legal-awareness-for-the-entrepreneurs-in-bangladesh-organized-by-the-department-of-law
41. https://www.aiub.edu/university-based-lecture-program-on-tobacco-control
42. https://www.aiub.edu/poster-presentation-contest-on-history--development-of-english-language

Institutional Policies and Commitments

AIUB's dedication to social sustainability is further reflected in its institutional policies. The university's Sustainable Development plan outlines its approach to addressing current and future challenges to achieve sustainability across various dimensions, including socio-economic, cultural, and environmental sustainability. AIUB has made sustainability a compulsory component in all current degree programs and has integrated it into various other areas, such as research endeavors, library resources, student clubs, and extracurricular activities. ​https://www.aiub.edu/sustainability

Conclusion

Through a comprehensive approach that includes curriculum integration, extracurricular activities, conferences, workshops, and institutional policies, AIUB provides dedicated training on the social aspects of sustainability. These initiatives not only enhance the educational experience but also prepare students to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development in their future careers and communities.