Role of Higher Education Students in Achieving SDG4 (Quality Education): The Thematic Study

Authors

  • Saba Naseem M.Ed. Student, Department of Education, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow Author
  • Dr. Shikha Tiwari Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2026.v11.n04.014

Keywords:

SDG, Quality education, Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play an integral part in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4) related to “achieving inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning for all”. This research aimed to analyses multiple sources, such as policy documents, the literature, and higher education institutional reports and best practice sources, to identify trends and commonly shared themes, with the goal of providing theme-wise results for individuals to help meet SDG 4. The thematic analysis of this research identifies numerous issues surrounding access to education for marginalized or disadvantaged groups, equity, inclusiveness, and the quality of teaching and learning through curriculum development, outcome-based education, and the use of technology in teaching and learning. The research also identifies themes related to research and innovation at HEIs serving as knowledge hubs to provide evidence-based solutions for various issues in education, and therefore contribute to data-driven policy-making. It also identifies the importance of the training and education of teachers as essential factors in improving the quality of the education system overall. The importance of lifelong learning to promote open and distance learning, skills development, and online learning demonstrates the changing roles of HEIs in contributing to SDG 4.

References

[1] Allais, S., Unterhalter, E., Molebatsi, P., Posholi, L., & Howell, C. (2020). Universities, the public good, and the SDG 4 vision. In Grading goal four (pp. 135-155).

[2] Adipat, S., & Chotikapanich, R. (2022). Sustainable Development Goal 4: An education goal to achieve equitable quality education. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 11(6,174-183).

[3] Ketlhoilwe, M. J., Silo, N., & Velempini, K. (2019). Enhancing the roles and responsibilities of higher education institutions in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. In Sustainable development goals and institutions of higher education (pp. 121-130). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

[4] Heleta, S., & Bagus, T. (2021). Sustainable development goals and higher education: leaving many behind. Higher Education, 81(1), 163-177.

[5] Allais, S., Unterhalter, E., Molebatsi, P., Posholi, L., & Howell, C. (2020). Universities, the public good, and the SDG 4 vision. In Grading goal four (pp. 135-155). Brill.

[6] Chankseliani, M., & McCowan, T. (2021). Higher education and the Sustainable Development Goals. Higher education, 81(1), 1-8.

[7] Ramadhan, M. N. P. (2023). The role of SDG 4: Quality education on the internationalisation of Indonesia's education. Hasanuddin Journal of Strategic and International Studies (HJSIS), 1(2), 39-51.

[8] Saini, M., Sengupta, E., Singh, M., Singh, H., & Singh, J. (2023). Sustainable Development Goal for Quality Education (SDG 4): A study on SDG 4 to extract the pattern of association among the indicators of SDG 4 employing a genetic algorithm. Education and Information Technologies, 28(2), 2031-2069.

[9] Ebekozien, A., Aigbavboa, C. O., Samsurijan, M. S., Radin Firdaus, R. B., & Rohayati, M. I. (2025). Expanded corporate social responsibility framework: companies’ role in improving higher education institutions’ infrastructure to Sustainable Development Goal 4. Journal of Facilities Management, 23(1), 1-18.

[10] Serageldin, I., & Martin-Brown, J. (Eds.). (1999). Partnerships for global ecosystem management: science, economics, and law: proceedings and reference readings from the Fifth Annual World Bank Conference on Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development, held at the World Bank and George Washington University, Washington, DC, October 6-7, 1997. World Bank Publications.

Downloads

Published

2026-04-15

How to Cite

Naseem, S., & Tiwari, S. (2026). Role of Higher Education Students in Achieving SDG4 (Quality Education): The Thematic Study. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 11(4), 119-124. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2026.v11.n04.014