1. Introduction to the University of Danang

The University of Danang (UD) is a multidisciplinary and multi-field higher education institution that actively embraces the orientation of Sustainable Development (SD). UD’s strategic vision is to become a national university system comprising multiple member universities and affiliated units, operating under an advanced governance model. UD aims to foster a dynamic and innovative learning and research environment to train high-quality human resources for the socio-economic development of the country. Furthermore, UD contributes to addressing multidisciplinary real-world challenges, driving sustainable regional development, and serving as a key bridge for international cooperation toward comprehensive global integration.

In recent years, UD has reaffirmed its strong commitment to integrating sustainable development principles into all aspects of education, research, and institutional governance. This commitment is clearly reflected in UD’s Strategic Development Plan for 2020–2025, where sustainable development is embedded as one of its core strategic objectives and featured in the Annual Report 2020. UD also hosted the National Scientific Conference on “Innovating Education and Training for Sustainable Development” on December 28, 2020, underscoring its leadership in advancing sustainability within Vietnam’s higher education landscape.

2. Introduction to Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 by 193 member countries of the United Nations as a global call to action to address pressing challenges and achieve sustainable development by 2030.

SDG 17 - “Partnerships for the Goals” - is the goal that emphasizes strengthening the means of implementation and promoting global partnerships for sustainable development.

Within the framework of University Social Responsibility (USR), adopting the USR perspective recognizes that the social role of universities extends beyond teaching and research. Universities can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through four main functions: education, research, community service, and resource management. Building alliances and partnerships is therefore essential. For example, collaboration with a non-governmental organization (NGO) specializing in marine environmental protection can help the University of Danang (UD) enhance the quality of its academic programs, attract new students, and simultaneously contribute to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

3. Introduction to Implemented Activities

The University of Danang (UD) has implemented a wide range of international, interdisciplinary, and collaborative activities with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote the realization of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), including:

3.1. Collaboration with NGOs and Government Agencies on SDG-related Policies

UD organized a conference titled “Collaboration in Training High-Quality Human Resources for the North Central and Central Coastal Provinces”, in accordance with the Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW of the Politburo (dated November 15, 2024).

This was a major event that brought together more than 250 participants, featuring both scientific and practical significance, and was part of the celebratory series marking the 30th anniversary of the University of Danang (1994–2024). The conference was attended by representatives of provincial and municipal departments and agencies, corporations and enterprises, high schools in the North Central and Central Coastal regions, as well as administrators, educators, scientists, and experts. Also present were leaders of major sponsoring enterprises, including THACO Group, BIDV Hai Van Branch, Central Power Corporation, Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company, Bac My An Tourism Joint Stock Company- Furama Resort Danang, and Hoa Tho Textile and Garment Corporation, along with representatives of national and local media agencies. This event demonstrated UD’s strong commitment and social responsibility to contributing to education and training and the development of high-quality human resources. It also fostered substantive, effective, and sustainable linkages among the “three stakeholders” - the Government, Academia, and Enterprises – in human resource development, thereby supporting the successful implementation of Vietnam’s national strategies and government policies in higher education and sustainable socio-economic development. For further information, please refer to: https://www.udn.vn/dao-tao-nhan-luc/chi-tiet/dai-hoc-da-nang-to-chuc-hoi-thao-gan-ket-trong-dao-tao-nguon-nhan-luc-chat-luong-cao-cho-cac-tinh-thuoc-vung-bac-trung-bo-va-duyen-hai-trung-bo-chao-mung-30-nam-xay-dung-va-phat-trien-dhdn.

3.2. Interdisciplinary Dialogue on the SDGs

International Scientific Conference “Sustainable University Development: Opportunities and Challenges” (13 November 2024).

Signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement between the University of Danang (UD) and the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).

Development of the online course “Sustainable Development Strategies in the Digital Era at the UD” (August 22–23, 2024).

On November 9, 2024, the University of Science and Technology, UD (DUT–UD) organized the ATCESD 2024 Conference on Advanced Technologies in Construction toward Sustainable Development. The event brought together more than 150 participants, including scientists, experts, entrepreneurs, and lecturers from related fields, demonstrating the university’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education, research, and technological innovation in construction, architecture, and environmental engineering.  The conference aimed to promote sustainable development, address global challenges, and foster resilience and adaptability in the context of rapid technological change.

The Vietnam-UK Institute for Research and Executive Education (VNUK), UD, in collaboration with UNICEF Vietnam and the Department of Education and Training of Da Nang City, organized the U-Invent 2024 National Science and Technology Innovation Contest for high school students. The program was part of the Child- and Youth-Friendly City Initiative, aiming to encourage students to develop creative ideas, critical thinking, and innovative solutions to promote safe, inclusive, and healthy learning and digital environments.

From November 5–7, 2024, the University of Foreign Language Studies-UD (UFLS–UD) hosted the Annual SEAAIR International Conference 2024 under the theme “Education, Creativity and Sustainability in the Digital Era.”The event was organized in collaboration with and supported by the Southeast Asian Association for Institutional Research (SEAAIR), providing a regional platform for academic exchange, networking, and partnership development in higher education toward sustainable and innovative practices.

3.3. Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for the SDGs vì các SDG

UD has collaborated with various NGOs and international organizations through a range of programs, including student volunteer initiatives (such as teaching and environmental clean-up activities), as well as research and educational resource development projects.

Summary table of NGO partners and areas of collaboration (Illustrative Table):

3.4. Major International Projects and Collaborations (Illustrative Table – Selected Examples)

UD has participated in and benefited from numerous major international cooperation projects, thereby strengthening its position within the global higher education system.

PHER Project (USAID/Indiana University, USA): A five-year initiative (2022–2026) aimes at modernizing the UD and supporting the development of Vietnam’s higher education system.

HEIsCITI International Project (funded by the European Union - EU, ERASMUS+): A three-year initiative (2023–2025) aims to support universities in achieving sustainable development in the post-COVID-19 era. Through this project, the UD organized the international conference “Attracting International Students and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Post-COVID-19 Era”, sharing experiences in higher education internationalization, university-government cooperation models, and innovative teaching methods. These activities have enabled the University to expand its global partnership network, enhance teaching capacity, promote internationally oriented academic programs, and make practical contributions to SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals.

SOHO Project on “Innovative, Smart, and High-Quality Tourism Education to Meet the Needs of Green and Sustainable Development.” A three-year project (2024-2026) focuses on developing a Learning Management System (LMS), designing innovative training programs, creating modules on renewable energy and sustainable accommodation, and promoting digital transformation initiatives in tourism education.

ODA Project (World Bank): A loan-funded initiative to develop technical infrastructure and essential facilities for the UD at the Hoa Quy – Dien Ngoc campus.

KOICA Project (Korea): “Enhancing the Training, Governance, and Research Capacity of the Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) for the period 2022–2026.”

Erasmus+ Projects (EU): Participation in several projects such as ACCEES, DIVE, DIGITAL MOVE, and HARMONY etc focusing on education digitalization, sustainable urban development, green tourism, and international collaboration and exchange.

DONASO Project (WWF, Switzerland): An innovation initiative in waste management, applying technology and multi-stakeholder collaboration to address waste issues in Hue City.

Partnership with International Enterprises: Collaboration with Boeing (USA), JFE (Japan), Tilling Timber (Australia)… to develop students’ soft skills.

4. Achieved Outcomes

The implementation of SDG 17 has yielded tangible results for the UD reflected in the following areas:

Strengthening institutional capacity and governance: UD has participated in various capacity-building programs under the PHER project, focusing on topics such as gender equality and women’s empowerment in education and research, integrated teaching methodologies, and research ethics compliance.

Enhancing infrastructure and technology: UD has received ODA funding from the World Bank to develop essential infrastructure. Additionally, the Heart for Heart Foundation provided medical equipment support, while KOICA assisted in establishing the Fintech Hub and a Smart Korean Language Classroom.

Promoting scientific research and innovation: UD has received research funding from the Murata Science and Education Foundation and a non-refundable grant from AUF for the project “Smart Medical Electronic Stethoscope Noise Intelligence (SMENI)”, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Expanding financial support and human resource development:

Scholarships for underprivileged and outstanding students were provided through NGO partners such as VESAF (USD 14,400 for 36 students), Nitori International Scholarship Foundation (VND 130,000,000 for 10 students), Keidanren and JCCI (VND 140,000,000 for 20 students), and Taisei Oncho Foundation (USD 100/month for 5 students).

Collaboration with Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) has facilitated annual training programs since 2011 to develop human resources in wildlife conservation.

Expanding international partnership networks: UD has significantly broadened its global partnership network, including academic organizations (ASEA-UNINET, AUF, Erasmus+), funding agencies (USAID, KOICA, World Bank), and specialized NGOs (FZS, Heart for Heart Foundation, WWF).

5. Overall Assessment

UD has demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing SDG 17 by establishing and maintaining a diverse and robust network of partnerships across academia, government, industry, and non-governmental organizations.

Diversity of Partnerships: UD’s partners are highly diverse, including governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scholarship foundations, technology corporations (such as Boeing, COGNEX, and MIDAS IT), international development agencies (AUF, USAID, World Bank, KOICA), and global academic networks (ASEA-UNINET, ULYSSEUS, UMAP, etc.). This diversity enables UD to access resources, funding, and expertise across multiple fields—from healthcare, nature conservation, and music education to information technology.

Integration of SDGs into Activities: UD’s partnership activities are clearly linked to specific SDGs beyond SDG 17, primarily SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). This demonstrates that UD has adopted an integrated approach, treating SDG 17 as a means to achieve other development goals.

Regional Impact: UD has strengthened its regional role through participation in major projects such as PHER (Higher Education Modernization) and Erasmus+ initiatives (HARMONY, HUB4GROWTH), aimed at enhancing university–industry collaboration and promoting higher education internationalization.

In summary, UD has translated its awareness and commitment to sustainable development into concrete actions by strengthening partnerships, thereby positioning itself as a model university at both the national and international levels.

6. Conclusion

The implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17) at the UD has yielded significant achievements, demonstrated through a wide range of strategic and diversified partnership activities. These partnerships have provided not only financial resources and expertise for research and education but also integrated sustainable development values into the university’s core functions. UD has successfully leveraged SDG 17 as a catalyst for regional sustainable development while simultaneously strengthening its position in the context of globalization.