Suan Dusit University (SDU) recognizes the critical role of higher education institutions as data-driven mechanisms for sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in data gathering, monitoring, and reporting for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university strives to enhance its capacity to generate reliable data, strengthen evidence-based policy development, and promote transparent and systematic SDG measurement processes that align with global sustainability standards.
In 2024, SDU—represented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Pornchanit Kaewnet, Vice President for Academic Affairs and International Relations—participated in the “Sustainability Commitment Declaration Signing Ceremony”, organized in collaboration with the Sustainable University Network of Thailand (SUN Thailand), the Council of University Presidents of Thailand (CUPT), and the United Nations Thailand. The event took place on 13 November 2024 at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok. It was attended by senior representatives from both the Thai government and international organizations, including Ms. Gita Sabharwal, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Thailand, and Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI).
This event marked a significant step toward advancing policy cooperation and international data collaboration for the SDGs among higher education institutions in Thailand. By signing this declaration, SDU formally joined a UN partnership initiative designed to enhance SDG data measurement, monitoring, and reporting mechanisms within the national higher education system. The initiative aims to create a shared data platform that captures measurable impacts on the economy, society, and environment, thereby contributing to Thailand’s integration into the global SDG monitoring and reporting framework.
The participation of Suan Dusit University in this international collaboration also demonstrated strong multi-stakeholder engagement, connecting the government, academia, and international organizations in developing a unified SDG data system. Through SUN Thailand, SDU contributes academic research outcomes and sustainability performance indicators to the national SDG reporting framework, which feeds into the United Nations global data mapping and reporting system. This process exemplifies international collaboration on SDG data gathering and measurement, where the university plays an active role in providing reliable datasets and policy-relevant insights for sustainability assessment.
Furthermore, this participation highlights SDU’s institutional commitment to developing an integrated Sustainability Information System that consolidates data from teaching, research, and community engagement. This system supports data-driven governance and evidence-based sustainability assessment, aligning with the United Nations’ principles for effective SDG implementation and evaluation.
Based on the available evidence, Suan Dusit University meets all three assessment criteria of THE for this indicator:
- Existence of participation: SDU participated in an international partnership with the United Nations and SUN Thailand focused on SDG data collaboration.
- Evidence provided: Official documentation and news articles clearly identify the event details, date, venue, and participating representatives.
- Publicly available: The evidence is published and accessible to the public via the university’s official website.
Therefore, this activity serves as direct evidence of the university’s international collaboration on gathering and measuring SDG data, fulfilling the requirements of the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 for SDG 17.2.3. It also reflects SDU’s vision to act as a collaborative data hub for sustainability, connecting local actions with international frameworks to enhance global knowledge sharing and collective impact toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
🔗 Publicly Available Evidence
- Suan Dusit University. (2024). “Signing of the Sustainability Commitment Declaration with the Sustainable University Network of Thailand and the United Nations Thailand.”
https://www.dusit.ac.th/home/2024/1374360.html