News

United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) is pleased to announce our new SDG Hubs, UNAI members selected as exemplars for their innovative engagement related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Institutions have been designated for three-year renewable terms and will serve as resources for best practices for the UNAI network

Western University (Canada), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), has been organizing during the past few years the World’s Challenge Challenge, an event aimed to engage university students in the discussion and debate about world issues, and to bring ideas from many different perspectives to the table

The University of Makeni (Sierra Leone), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), recently presented through its Mental Health Program the findings of Psychological First Aid - PFA research conducted during a study that took place in the districts of Port Loko, Western Urban, Western Rural, Kenema and Kailahun

Carlos III University of Madrid (Spain), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), recently launched the Discrimination and Inequality Laboratory (D-Lab) which provides the necessary infrastructure to carry out experimental field research in the area of social sciences concerning discrimination in the labour market

Andrés Bello Catholic University (Venezuela), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), has developed an innovative program for leaders of community-based organizations about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It aims to facilitate a space of interactive dialogue, training and development of skills, to enable the generation of practical ideas to advance the SDGs

The University of Malaya (Malaysia), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), has been implementing the Zero Waste Campaign (UM ZWC) aimed to achieve a campus with zero waste to landfill with an integrated and sustainable waste management model. In the next years, this initiative will play a vital role in the collection of recyclable materials and the organic waste recycling

The University of San Simón - UMSS (Bolivia), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), and in particular its International Affairs Office, held a wide range of activities to celebrate the International Day of Peace, an observance created by the United Nations General Assembly devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network - SDSN, a partner of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), recently announced the launching of the first digital hub of SDG resources for schools and educators through the Global Schools Program. This program is an initiative led by SDSN Youth in support of UNESCO’s Global Action Program on Education for Sustainable Development (GAP-ESD)

The University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), and in particular the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre performed the world’s first living donor liver transplant from an HIV positive mother to her HIV negative child. It is now more than a year since the operation and both mother and child are alive and thriving

The League of European Research Universities - LERU (Belgium), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), created an ad hoc group on university development cooperation, in order to find ways to embed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the policies on education, research and outreach of the institutions of higher education

Monash University (Australia), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), recently was announced as a winner of the United Nations Momentum for Change climate action award. The Net Zero Initiative by Monash University in partnership with ClimateWorks Australia, was the only project presented by an institution of higher education. According to the University, the goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions from Monash’s built environment by 2030, paving the way to a future powered entirely by renewable energy.

The United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) believes that promoting global citizenship allows individuals to embrace their social responsibility to act for the benefit of all societies, not just their own. Ana G. Méndez University System (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) which is the UNAI Global Hub for Global Citizenship, and the University of Turabo in particular, is undertaking the research project "Words, terms and concepts that reflect understanding of global citizenship: A quantitative descriptive study"

Bishop Benziger College of Nursing - BBCON (India), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), recently participated in a significant relief initiative in the state of Kerala, seriously affected by heavy rain fall for more than three months. Support extended by students and faculty helped with the expedited restoration of academic activities at the Sanatana Dharma College

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), recently organized a photo exhibition entitled Journalism in Afghanistan and a special event dedicated to the memory of a graduate from the Class of 2015, Said Samim Faramarza, who died while performing official duties as journalist working for the TOLOnews television channel, in an explosion that took place in the Afghan capital

"For millions of students around the world, the school environment is not a safe space to study and grow. It is a danger zone where they learn in fear." UNICEF's recent report on violence in schools sheds light on just how prevalent bullying remains and how it affects societies around the world. The report details not only it's longlasting repercussions on students, but its economic and social impacts as well.

De Montfort University - DMU (United Kingdom), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), promotes active learning with a social purpose among its students, encouraging them to travel across Europe to help refugees. This institution of higher education recently announced its new strategic plan, crafted in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The students travelled to support refugees in four different European cities. The idea was to get hands-on experience with groups or communities supporting refugees and other disadvantaged people

The 73rd United Nations General Assembly is underway and the eyes of the world are on United Nations Headquarters in New York and the high level debate with world leaders. Over the next week United Nations Academic Impact will introduce you to some of the people behind the scenes of the UNGA and they'll tell you what it's like to be on the front lines of what has been called the World Cup of Diplomacy and what it takes to pursue a career in international affairs. In today's profile, meet Kevin O Hanlon, Deputy Chief of the Department of Safety and Security, who helps ensure the safety of thousands of UN staff year round and Heads of State during the UNGA.

Valdine Flaming, a Métis student of the University of Manitoba (Canada), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), participated in an internship programme at the Whakauae Research for Maori Health and Development in Whanganui, New Zealand

The New School (United States), a member institution of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), launched a new initiative entitled the New University in Exile Consortium, a group of universities and colleges committed to protecting intellectual capital and free inquiry around the world

The 73rd United Nations General Assembly begins this week and the eyes of the world will be on United Nations Headquarters in New York and the high-level debate with world leaders! Over the next week United Nations Academic Impact will introduce you to some of the people behind the scenes of the UNGA and they'll tell you what it's like to be on the front lines of what has been called the World Cup of Diplomacy, and what it takes to pursue a career in international affairs. In today's interview, meet Yoshita Singh, Chief Correspondent for the Press Trust of India at the UN, who talks about the highs and lows of covering the UNGA and the moments she will never forget.