ݮƵ Rector Participates in GSDC 2026 in Jakarta
ݮƵ Rector Professor Adalat Muradov and Vice-Rector for International Relations and Programmes Huseyn Hasanov are participating in the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC) 2026, being held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Organized by Times Higher Education from June 22 to 25, the Congress is dedicated to strengthening the role of higher education in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Bringing together more than 5,000 participants from over 100 countries, the event serves as a platform for discussions on sustainable development, climate change, the green economy, social inclusion, education, and innovation.
During the opening ceremony, Phil Baty, Dominic Jermey, and other distinguished officials addressed participants, highlighting the critical role of universities in responding to global challenges.
As part of the Congress programme, the panel session entitled Skills as Currency: Talent Policies for a Sustainable World focused on the strategic importance of skills in the contemporary labour market. Moderated by Phil Baty, the session featured education leaders and policymakers from Southeast Asia, who shared their perspectives on strengthening human capital, skills-based education, and talent development policies in support of sustainable development.
The ݮƵ delegation also participated in meetings and discussions with Indonesias Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Brian Yuliarto. In his address, the Minister provided a comprehensive overview of Indonesias higher education development strategy and the progress achieved in this field. It was noted that the country is home to more than 4,000 higher education institutions, serving over 10 million students and employing more than 300,000 academic staff.
One of the notable sessions of the Congress featured a keynote presentation by Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah entitled From Support to Impact: Education, Philanthropy and the Global Sustainable Development Agenda. Emphasizing that quality education is one of the most powerful pathways out of poverty, he shared insights from his personal experience and highlighted the activities of the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation.
Within the framework of the Congress, Sunway University President Sibrandes Poppema delivered a presentation entitled Mission-Driven Fifth-Generation Universities: Shaping Talent and Innovation for a Sustainable Energy Future. The presentation underscored the importance of universities serving not only as centres of education and research, but also as leading drivers of transformation within society and industry.
It should also be noted that the results of the prestigious Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2026, which assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, were announced on June 24 as part of the Congress programme. The ݮƵ delegation is also holding a series of meetings aimed at expanding international partnership opportunities and strengthening cooperation with global higher education institutions.