The APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (APRU SDG4GC) is an intercultural, transdisciplinary, and interactive program that fosters global citizenship among students from 60 universities in 20 economies across the Pacific Rim. Co-designed by six core-partner universities in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), the program builds knowledge of global issues and global literacy among students. This is achieved through learning about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exploring in-depth some of the world’s biggest challenges, and proposing solutions using a framework for collaborative development of social innovation prototypes. The program places critical importance in introducing locally embedded unique case studies among the network members to help students develop a broad array of perspectives and deepen understanding of the SDGs.  In the 2025 program, APRU SDG4GC will conduct a hybrid program under the umbrella theme of “ Diversity and Inclusivity — Actions for Sustainability” , to learn more about it click here.

The APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (APRU SDG4GC) recently concluded its dynamic one-week onsite programs which proved to be much more than an academic exercise. Hosted concurrently in late July in Bangkok by Chulalongkorn University (lead university) and in Kuala Lumpur by Universiti Malaya (co-lead university), the onsite program brought together nearly 40 lead mentors, speakers, and experts with 37 students from 13 APRU member universities. Onsite program participants in Bangkok, Thailand   APRU SDG4GC is an intercultural, transdisciplinary, and interactive initiative aimed at nurturing global citizenship among students from 60 universities across 20 economies along the Pacific Rim. By delving into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing global challenges, and co-creating solutions, the program fosters a sense of shared responsibility and action among participants. Reflecting on the impact of the program, Michiko Yoshida, Director of the Global Networking and Engagement Division at Chulalongkorn University, remarked, “Creating this program has been quite a journey for all of us, giving us a chance to reflect on ourselves and the urgency of the challenges we all face today, and what each of us can do. We take this job very seriously, given that you will be our change-makers.” Through a series of workshops, seminars, cultural activities, and community site visits, participants immersed themselves in the ethos of the SDGs, with a special emphasis on ‘Shaping the Future of Health & Wellbeing’. Raine Leung, a student from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, shared her experience from the onsite program in Kuala Lumpur, “This week, we’ve engaged deeply into the Sustainable Development Goals. We’ve learned to address global well-being challenges not only with intellectual rigor but with empathy.” And she added “Experiencing the Malaysian dance, the traditional sarong, and the wedding ceremony during the Cultural Village Tour, have all been good ways to immerse ourselves in Malaysia’s diverse culture”. Onsite program participants in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   In Bangkok, the visit to the United Nations Headquarters was one of the standout moments for participants, who had the opportunity to explore the premises and take unique photos. They were also privileged to attend in person the hybrid seminars on energy transition by Ruhimat Soerakoesoemah, the Head of ESCAP’s Subregional Office for Southeast Asia, and youth empowerment by Savinda Ranathunga, the Regional Youth Project Manager of UNDP. Following the onsite experience, students returned to their universities and continued working on the social innovation projects they had been developing throughout the program. On 30 August (HKT) the SDG4GC “Pitching Competition” took place with students showcasing the projects developed under the guidance of their expert lead mentors. Panel of UN and Expert judges   After great presentations, the panel of UN and other expert judges awarded Team 6, formed by Ms. Natamol Thitithanida, Chulalongkorn University, Ms. Siti Sarah Zulaikha Binti Zahari, Universiti Malaya, Ms. Ningjie Sun, Nanjing University, and Ms. Dzihni Nadhifa, Kyushu University and led by Dr. Terence Yuen, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the 1st place for their innovative App “One Health Coop” which seeks to bring together young members from the community with elderlies that may need assistance. If you would like to learn more about the APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (APRU SDG4GC) visit the program website here.