ASU Bahrain’s Global Collaboration and SDG Best Practices Engagement

International MoUs and Collaborative Partnerships for SDGs

Applied Science University (ASU) Bahrain actively forges international partnerships that advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through joint research and policy initiatives. For example, ASU recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ajman University (UAE) in October 2023 to enhance cooperation in teaching, scientific research, and academic exchange [1]. This partnership – endorsed by Bahrain’s Higher Education Council – underscores the importance of international academic ties in improving educational quality and outcomes [1]. Likewise, in 2024 ASU’s leadership visited several Jordanian universities, resulting in an MoU with Al-Ahliyya Amman University (Jordan) to collaborate in education and research [2]. ASU emphasizes that such partnerships with prestigious regional and international institutions are key to knowledge exchange and sustainable development in the region [2]. These agreements facilitate sharing of human and material resources, contributing to improved academic programs and graduates equipped to meet global challenges. In addition, ASU has formal collaborations beyond academia – for instance, it signed an MoU with the At’aa Individual Social Responsibility Society on 17 March 2022 to strengthen community development and social responsibility initiatives [3]. This reflects ASU’s commitment to multi-sector partnerships (SDG 17) that support societal well-being.

ASU’s long-standing dual-degree partnership with London South Bank University (LSBU) in the UK further exemplifies global cooperation. Established in 2014, this collaboration enables ASU students to earn British degrees in Bahrain and embeds international best practices into the curriculum [4]. Notably, the jointly delivered engineering programs stress sustainability and environmental design, preparing graduates with skills in energy conservation, renewable energy, water management, and green infrastructure [5]. By leveraging LSBU’s expertise, these programs ensure that ASU students are trained according to international standards in sustainable development while addressing local and regional needs. Such academic partnerships not only elevate program quality but also align with SDG targets (e.g. sustainable industry and innovation in SDG 9) through knowledge transfer and comparative pedagogical approaches.

Participation in Global SDG Forums and Networks

ASU Bahrain actively participates in international forums, networks, and events that focus on sustainability and social development, thereby contributing to the global review of best practices. The university is an active member of the International Association of Universities (IAU) – the UNESCO-based worldwide network of higher education institutions spanning 120 countries [4]. Through the IAU, ASU engages in dialogue on common global challenges in higher education (including the SDG agenda) and contributes Bahrain’s perspective to international policy discussions. Regionally, ASU is a member of the Association of Arab Universities (AARU), collaborating with over 280 institutions to advance education and development in the Arab world [4]. These affiliations provide platforms for ASU to share experiences and learn from global peers on issues like quality education, gender equality, and economic growth in line with the SDGs.

ASU also aligns with international quality assurance and sustainability networks. Since 2015, the university has been an associate member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), a global consortium dedicated to improving higher-ed quality [4]. Through INQAAHE conferences and forums, ASU shares its best practices and absorbs global innovations in education quality, directly supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (knowledge partnerships). This exchange helps continuously improve ASU’s academic standards using proven international approaches [4].

In terms of global policy engagement, ASU maintains an open channel with United Nations agencies. Notably, in February 2019 a delegation of ASU faculty and students visited the United Nations House in Bahrain for briefings on the 2030 Agenda. The UN Information Center Director outlined the UN’s roles, and the Resident Representative of UNDP delivered a lecture on the Sustainable Development Goals [6]. ASU representatives actively participated in discussions on global sustainable development challenges. At the conclusion of the visit, ASU affirmed its readiness to support UN initiatives and expressed eagerness to cooperate with the UN on various SDG-related projects [6]. The university’s team – including political science and law faculty – explored ideas to build formal cooperation frameworks between ASU and UN agencies [6]. This engagement demonstrates ASU’s contribution to international policy dialogue and willingness to consult on best practices for achieving the SDGs. Additionally, ASU encourages its students to engage in global issue forums; for example, ASU students regularly participate in the Bahrain Universities Model United Nations (BUMUN), where they debate international topics mirroring the UN SDGs and develop skills in diplomacy and global citizenship [7]. Such involvement in international forums helps ASU bring back comparative insights and embed them in its teaching, research, and community work.

Joint Research, Conferences and Projects Sharing SDG Best Practices

Through collaborative research projects and international conferences, ASU Bahrain actively reviews comparative approaches to sustainable development and helps develop global best practices. A cornerstone of ASU’s strategy has been to host and co-organize international conferences on sustainability and development themes, drawing experts and ideas from around the world. For instance, ASU convened the International Conference on Sustainable Futures (ICSF) in November 2017, which attracted 65 research papers from participants across 20 countries [5]. This conference provided a forum for scholars and practitioners to compare research findings on topics such as renewable energy, sustainable urban planning, and socio-economic development. The wide international participation enabled a rich exchange of comparative approaches and solutions, aligning with multiple SDGs (from climate action to industry innovation). Similarly, in 2019 ASU co-organized the International Conference on Innovation, Technology, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (ICITEE) in partnership with LSBU (UK). The ICITEE conference gathered 69 papers from researchers representing 16 countries including Bahrain, the UK, Turkey, Canada, Italy, South Africa, and more [5]. It provided a platform for academics and industry experts to present ideas, share best practices, and discuss research on fostering innovation and sustainable enterprise [5]. By jointly hosting this event with an international partner, ASU facilitated cross-border learning on issues like productivity, entrepreneurship, and technological innovation toward the SDGs. The conference proceedings and discussions of ICITEE documented diverse case studies and best-practice models from different countries, contributing to a comparative understanding of how SDG targets (e.g. decent work and economic growth under SDG 8) can be achieved in various contexts.

This commitment to global knowledge-sharing has continued in recent years. In 2022, ASU hosted the International Conference in Emerging Technologies for Sustainability and Intelligent Systems (ICETSIS 2022) [8], focusing on the role of advanced technologies in sustainable development. The conference (organized in collaboration with international academic and industry partners) aligned with the United Nations Agenda 2030 and facilitated dialogue on innovative solutions for goals such as sustainable cities, clean energy, and intelligent infrastructure. Likewise, ASU’s International Conference on the Leadership and Management of Projects in the Digital Age (ICLAMP 2022) – co-organized with LSBU, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), AARU, and the Bahrain Society of Engineers – drew dozens of papers from over a dozen countries [5]. Under the patronage of Bahrain’s Higher Education Council, ICLAMP 2022 enabled experts to compare global experiences on digital transformation and project management, highlighting how digital innovation can accelerate SDG progress in education, industry, and governance [5]. ASU’s leadership noted that this was the third major international conference co-hosted with LSBU, emphasizing a sustained partnership to exchange knowledge on emerging best practices [5]. Such conferences exemplify how ASU leverages international collaborations to review comparative approaches – by bringing international researchers together – and to disseminate agreed best practices that emerge from rigorous peer-reviewed discussions.

In addition to faculty-oriented conferences, ASU involves students in comparative research and training with international peers. In early 2024, ASU and Ajman University jointly organized an International Student Scientific Research Conference (ISCAS 2024) under the slogan “Empowering Youth in the Digital Era.” This conference saw 94 students present 41 research papers across fields like business, law, engineering, and IT [5]. The event – a direct product of the ASU-Ajman MoU – aimed to exchange research experiences between the two universities and develop research skills in a multicultural setting [5]. By pairing students and faculty from Bahrain and the UAE, the conference enabled comparative insight into academic approaches and fostered a spirit of competition in developing innovative solutions. Organizers noted that the goal was to build bridges of scientific communication and produce future research leaders who can serve their communities while adhering to international best practices [5]. Such joint student conferences and competitions contribute to SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 17 by encouraging global collaboration and mutual learning among the next generation of scholars.

Beyond conferences, ASU engages in international training and outreach projects aligned with the SDGs. The university hosts an annual Non-Governmental Organization fair, through which it has facilitated student internships with charities and development projects in low-income countries as a form of experiential learning. These SDG-focused internships allow students to contribute to poverty alleviation and sustainable development abroad, bringing back lessons on best practices in community development (supporting SDG 1 – No Poverty). Additionally, under its partnership with LSBU, ASU runs a Summer Study Abroad Programme: for example, in 2024 a cohort of ASU students from the dual-degree programs visited the UK for a summer school in collaboration with LSBU [2]. Such international exposure programs enable students and staff to observe and compare different approaches to sustainability challenges – whether in business innovation, urban planning, or social policy – and to adapt global best practices to the local context in Bahrain.

Finally, ASU’s faculty contribute to the global SDG knowledge base through joint research publications and expert participation. ASU scholars regularly collaborate with international researchers on topics related to sustainable development and corporate responsibility. One such study co-authored by an ASU researcher examined the impact of corporate social responsibility reporting on company performance [9], reflecting the university’s research interest in the nexus of business and sustainability. At the policy level, ASU experts have been involved in shaping Bahrain’s national strategies that echo international best practices – for instance, ASU took part in developing Bahrain’s National Higher Education Strategy and Economic Vision 2030, which are aligned with the UN SDGs and emphasize sustainability, equity, and competitiveness. By infusing global perspectives into national plans, ASU helps localize international best practices for sustainable development.

In summary, ASU Bahrain demonstrates a deep commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through a multifaceted approach: formal MoUs with international universities and organizations, active participation in global networks and UN-focused events, and collaborative research initiatives and conferences that span continents. These activities confirm that ASU, as an institution, is not only learning from comparative approaches worldwide but is also actively contributing to the development of international best practices for sustainable development. Through its global partnerships, ASU continuously exchanges knowledge on what works in advancing the SDGs – from policy-making and education quality to community entrepreneurship – thereby reinforcing its role as a regional hub of sustainable development innovation and a globally engaged university [2] [5].

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