The Higher Education and Research for Sustainable Development (HESD) initiative, led by the International Association of Universities (IAU) and rooted in Gro Harlem Brundtland’s vision, underscores the crucial role of higher education (HE) in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) worldwide are instrumental in addressing global challenges and achieving the SDG goals through teaching, research, innovation, and international collaboration.

The IAU Global Cluster on HESD serves as a collaborative platform for HEIs, advocating a comprehensive approach to the SDGs. Through peer-to-peer learning and joint initiatives, the Cluster fosters partnerships across environmental, social, cultural, and economic dimensions of sustainability. Sixteen lead institutions, including the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), focus on specific SDGs while interconnected, with additional institutions joining as 'Satellites.' AIUB, one of the leading universities in Bangladesh, actively contributes to the HESD program, integrating sustainability principles into its curriculum and engaging in collaborative projects facilitated by the IAU.

AIUB serves as a Satellite University in SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 11: Sustainable cities & communities within the IAU-HESD framework. Through its participation, AIUB exemplifies the transformative potential of higher education in advancing sustainable development, fostering a culture of environmental consciousness and social responsibility while addressing global challenges and promoting local solutions tailored to Bangladesh's context.

Link: https://www.iau-hesd.net/index.php/IAU-Global-HESD-Cluster