Higher Education and Sdg4 - (Higher Education and the Sustainable Development Goals) by Tawana Kupe (Paperback)

About the Book

Calling for intentional, inclusive, and, above all, immediate action, this collection cuts through the dynamic education landscape to highlight its material contribution and actions needed to achieve 'Quality Education'.

Book Synopsis

Of all the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDG4 is especially and directly relevant to the work of Higher Education (HE) institutions. Adopting a future-facing view, Higher Education and SDG4 cuts through the dynamic education landscape to highlight its material contribution and actions needed to achieve 'Quality Education'.

Navigating current realities and critical issues, the chapters move beyond reflection, and present ideas, approaches, and possible solutions to enable a step change contribution by HE towards achieving SDG4. Incorporating the voices and perspectives of students, faculty, and staff, the chapters consider the complex circumstances that drive inequity and what universities can do to tackle it. Calling for intentional, inclusive, and, above all, immediate action, Higher Education and SDG4 looks outside educational ecosystems to how HE institutions can build societal capabilities and become a key determinant of sustainable futures.

Higher Education and the Sustainable Development Goals is a series of 17 books that address each of the SDGs through the lens of higher education. Adopting a solutions-based approach, each book focuses on how higher education is advancing delivery of Agenda 2030. The series is edited by Wendy Purcell, Professor with Rutgers University and Academic Research Scholar with Harvard University; Emeritus Professor and University President Emerita.

Review Quotes

In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, Higher Education and SDG 4 presents a compelling case for prioritizing sustainability, equity and access in higher education, offering innovative perspectives to advance educational opportunities for all. This volume not only highlights the crucial role of higher education in achieving SDG 4 - Quality Higher Education - but also equips readers with the tools to make meaningful changes in their institutions. The authors present a compelling collection of perspectives that showcase innovative approaches and successful implementations of sustainability practices. By weaving together theory and practice, this volume provides a robust framework for educators, policymakers, and researchers.

Each chapter offers actionable insights and strategies, making it an indispensable resource for those dedicated to fostering sustainable development. Whether you are looking to revamp curricula, influence policy, or conduct impactful research, this book serves as a vital guide on the journey toward a more sustainable and educated world. This volume is a must-read for anyone committed to fostering sustainable, inclusive, and equitable higher education that will prepare the next generation of global problem-solvers. Higher Education and SDG 4 is not just a theoretical exploration but a practical guide filled with innovative insights, making it an essential resource for driving meaningful change in the academic realm.

Tawana Kupe's new edited volume Higher Education and SDG adds to ongoing conversations about the role of higher education in achieving the SDGs. This six-chapter volume explores perspectives on why higher education is not providing greater leadership in the attainment of the SDGs. Chapters tackle structural issues such as unequal power relations in higher education partnerships, the legacy and reproduction of colonization, and a narrow focus on younger learners that ignores the importance (and stated aims of SDG 4) of lifelong learning. Authors propose new solutions, such as reconsidering narrow measures of success for professionals in higher education, re-examining the West's domination of higher education partnerships, and rethinking the purposes of higher education through design thinking. The SDGs may not be met by 2030, so this book is a timely contribution to conversations on how the next set of global development goals can be achieved through greater inputs from higher education institutions, especially Southern institutions, that have disproportionately low representation in current global conversations.

About the Author

Tawana Kupe is an independent researcher based in South Africa. He was the Chairman of the South African Sustainable Development Goals Network (SDGN) and on the Global SDGN Council. Under his Vice Chancellorship, the University of Pretoria launched its first Sustainable Development Report highlighting the university's contribution to the achievement of the SDGs.