Kardan University's high-level Impact Committee convened a meeting on July 17, 2021, to discuss the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) integration and implementation at Kardan University. Led by Chancellor Roeen Rahmani, the Impact Committee collaborates with Kardan University's Sustainability Office to create strategies, action plans, policies, and reports in regard to achieving the SDGs at Kardan University.   

"The reason behind the creation of the university's High-Level Impact Committee is to maintain the university's position as the SDGs leader in the higher education sector in Afghanistan and mobilize resources within the university and strengthen our strategic partnership to take part as a catalyst of advancing the SDGs at the national level with prominent governmental and non-governmental SDGs stakeholders," stated Chancellor Roeen Rahmani.  

"The systematic and meaningful alignment of the SDGs at the policy and strategic levels, including the university's operations, academics, research, and student activities are essential for the long-term sustainability impact of Kardan University," said Mr. Mirwais Nahzat, Kardan University's Chief Operating Officer. 

"The SDGs integration at the university requires a university-wide collaboration and commitment. The formation of the High-Level Impact Committee is a strong indication of the university's commitment and intention to advance the SDGs," said Mr. Mohammad Shams Formuly, Kardan University's Sustainability Engagement Coordinator. 

The committee members proposed a number of strategic initiatives and priorities around achieving the SDGs. The committee highlighted the establishment of relationships with national and international organizations working closely around the SDGs. The committee members also committed to making more impactful research around the SDGs. 

The leadership of Kardan University agreed to align university policies and procedures with the SDGs and integrate them into the university's academics, students' activities, research, and operations. Kardan University will also enrich the existing SDGs Commitment Policy and incorporate it on a program basis SDGs teaching it to Kardan University's students of all programs, faculty, and staff, respectively.  

The Departments and Sustainability Office will make efforts to make all SDGs events, including conferences, symposiums, and dialogues on a program basis annually, generating ideas to respond to the country's social, economic, and environmental development needs. 

The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 SDGs are integrated - they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others and that development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability.  

The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. They use carefully calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparisons across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching. The 2021 Impact Rankings was the third edition, and the overall ranking includes 1,117 universities from 94 countries/regions. The fourth edition Impact Rankings 2022 will be launched at the Times Higher Education Innovation & Impact Summit in Sweden in April 2022. 

Sustainability Office at Kardan University is the first of its kind in Afghanistan responsible for advancing and integrating the SDGs at the university's academics, research, student activities, and operations. The Office also leads the process to plan, coordinate, and compile data from across the university for Kardan University's application to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Kardan University recognizes that achieving Sustainable Development Goals is essential to our students, community, and ultimately our future success. Sustainability is a strategic priority at Kardan University reflected in everything we do – from training our students on the fundamentals of sustainability to conducting cutting-edge research and ensuring that our campus operations are delivered in a sustainable and future-friendly manner. 

To learn more about Kardan University's Sustainability Office, please visit https://kardan.edu.af/sustainability/