Relationships with Regional NGOs and Government for SDG Policy
Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) maintains active relationships with government bodies, public institutions, regional non-governmental organisations, and sustainability networks through which it contributes academic expertise, research, stakeholder engagement, and institutional capacity to SDG-related policy and strategy development.During the 2024/2025 academic year, these relationships supported activities such as identifying societal challenges, contributing evidence and expert input, supporting the development of strategies and interventions, sharing research-based recommendations, and strengthening monitoring, dialogue, and decision-making aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Through these partnerships, GUST contributes to evidence-informed approaches to sustainable development while strengthening collaboration between academia, government, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.
GUST contributes to the development of this indicator by:
| Initiative | Contribution to the Indicator |
|---|---|
| National and International SDG Policy Partnerships | Research, coordination, stakeholder engagement |
| Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy | Education, research, training |
| Partnerships in Sports Governance and Student Well-Being | Health, cooperation, education |
| Initiative: | National and International SDG Policy Partnerships |
| Contribution to the Indicator: | Research, coordination, stakeholder engagement |
| Initiative: | Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy |
| Contribution to the Indicator: | Education, research, training |
| Initiative: | Partnerships in Sports Governance and Student Well-Being |
| Contribution to the Indicator: | Health, cooperation, education |
National and International SDG Policy Partnerships
SDSN Kuwait: Supporting National SDG Coordination and Policy
GUST has strengthened its role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through formal engagement with leading international sustainability networks.
In September 2024, GUST became the first university in Kuwait to join the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), marking an important step in the University’s institutional commitment to sustainable development and international SDG collaboration.
Building on this membership, GUST submitted an application to establish an official SDSN Kuwait national network hosted at GUST. The application was approved in the Spring semester of the academic year 2024-2025, positioning GUST as the national focal point for SDSN activities in Kuwait.
A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was subsequently signed between GUST and SDSN to establish and support the network. Through this role, GUST provides a platform for strengthening collaboration among academia, government, civil society, NGOs, and other stakeholders working toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The SDSN Kuwait network supports knowledge exchange, identification of sustainability challenges and priorities, cross-sector engagement, evidence-based dialogue, and the development of collaborative approaches to sustainable development in Kuwait.
Through its role as host institution, GUST supports activities connected with:
- Organizing at least one annual conference bringing together key actors from the country or region
- Mobilizing SDSN members and publicize SDSN activities amongst policymakers, private sector, and NGOs around SDG localization activities
- Contributing to the global SDSN’s policy work, such as the Sustainable Development Report
- Reaching out to potential members and find opportunities for broadening the SDSN network and growing membership through engagement
- Contributing content to the global SDSN website
- Developing an annual program of activities and provide brief quarterly reports of activities to the Secretariat
- Participating in Global SDSN Network workshops, monthly calls, and Leadership Council meetings when resources allow
Under this agreement, several policies supporting SDG development passed to NGO's have been created by GUST. Below is an example of one of them:
You can find the list of policies developed by GUST's SDSN in the following link: https://www.gust.edu.kw/sdsn-policy-briefs
Partnership with the World Association for Sustainable Development
In June 2025, GUST further expanded its international sustainability partnerships by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD), an international non-governmental organization focused on advancing sustainable development through research, knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, capacity-building, and international collaboration.
The partnership provides a framework for GUST and WASD to cooperate on sustainability-related initiatives, strengthen academic and professional exchange, support research and knowledge dissemination, and contribute to broader dialogue on sustainable-development challenges and solutions.
Together, GUST’s leadership of SDSN Kuwait and its partnership with WASD demonstrate a growing institutional role in connecting higher education with national, regional, and international sustainability networks. These relationships strengthen GUST’s capacity to contribute to SDG-related policy discussions, knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based sustainable-development initiatives.
Faculty Leadership in Environmental Policy and Civil Society Engagement
GUST contributes academic expertise to environmental sustainability and civil-society engagement through the leadership roles of its faculty members in external environmental organizations.Dr. Ali, a current GUST faculty member, served as President of the Green Peace Environment Association (جمعية السلام الأخضر للبيئة) from 2022 to 2024 and subsequently as Vice President from 2024 to 2026. The Association is a registered public-benefit organization in Kuwait working to promote environmental awareness, sustainability, environmental protection, and cooperation between civil society, government institutions, academics, and other stakeholders.Through these leadership roles, GUST academic expertise has contributed to an organization whose strategic objectives include proposing environmental legislation and policies, developing partnerships with local, regional and international environmental institutions, promoting environmental research, and strengthening environmental information and awareness systems.The Association also promotes structured engagement between academics, specialists and decision-makers through workshops and discussion forums aimed at developing environmental solutions and recommendations. Its initiatives address issues including waste management, renewable energy, pollution, environmental awareness, sustainable development and the transition toward greener practices in Kuwait.This faculty engagement demonstrates GUST’s contribution to wider civil-society efforts supporting evidence-informed environmental policy, stakeholder dialogue, sustainability strategy and environmental decision-making in Kuwait.
Relevant SDGs: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13 – Climate Action; SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.
Government Engagement on Sustainability and Environmental Policy
Dr. Ahmet Cemil Yildirim is leading a SEED-funded project examining sustainability and environmental protection provisions in Kuwait’s Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) initiated in 2024-2025 and continued in 2025-2026 as a Project Coordinator / Principal Investigator. The project aims to develop a draft model for a new generation of BITs for Kuwait that incorporates sustainability and environmental protection considerations and can be shared with relevant public authorities. As part of the project’s stakeholder-engagement process, the research team met with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where the proposed approach was presented and discussed. The Chamber expressed interest in continuing the dialogue and collaborating with relevant stakeholders in Kuwait.
The project provides research-based legal and policy input on how sustainability and environmental considerations can be incorporated into Kuwait’s future investment agreements. Through engagement with government and national stakeholders, the initiative contributes to identifying policy gaps, developing evidence-based policy and legal recommendations, and supporting the development of more sustainable investment frameworks in Kuwait.
Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy
During the 2024/2025 academic year, GUST maintained formal relationships with government bodies, public institutions, NGOs, and sustainability networks through which the University contributed research, academic expertise, stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, and evidence-based recommendations relevant to sustainable development.These relationships support activities including identifying policy challenges, providing research-based input, developing strategies and recommendations, supporting stakeholder consultation, and contributing to monitoring and dialogue around SDG-related interventions.
Strategic Partnership with Dar Al Shifa Hospital
In February 2025, GUST signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Dar Al Shifa Hospital, establishing GUST’s first formal collaboration with a healthcare organization.
Through this MoU, GUST and Dar Al Shifa provides a framework for:
- health related policies
- joint research projects
- knowledge exchange
- data-driven studies
- professional training
- academic-healthcare collaboration
Through joint research and data-driven studies, the partnership strengthens the evidence base available for addressing health and well-being challenges and supports informed decision-making relevant to SDG 3 and Kuwait’s broader development priorities.
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research and Public-Sector Placements
Through the English Department Internship Programme, GUST students have undertaken placements with organizations including the United Nations, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), and Kuwait Television (KTV2) in academic years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. These placements expose students to organizations involved in research, public communication and institutional decision-making and help build the human capacity needed to support sustainable development.
State Audit Bureau Engagement
The Accounting Club’s visit to the State Audit Bureau in 2024 demonstrates GUST’s engagement with key national institutions to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance—core elements of indicator 17.2.1. Through this educational collaboration, students gained first-hand insight into the Bureau’s role in auditing public funds, ensuring financial integrity, and supporting ethical practices across government sectors.
This engagement strengthened students’ understanding of the role of public financial oversight, accountability and ethical governance in national development and provided direct academic exposure to a key government institution. This initiative underscores GUST’s commitment to bridging academia and government to advance responsible management and support Kuwait’s broader sustainability goals.
Partnerships in Sports Governance and Student Well-Being
The Athletics Department at GUST plays an active role in advancing SDG 17.2.1 through strategic partnerships with both governmental and non-governmental organizations in academic year 2024-2025, including the University Athletic Association of Kuwait (UAAK) and the Kuwait School Sports Federation and Higher Education (KWSP.E.HE). These collaborations connect GUST with both governmental and non-governmental bodies responsible for shaping sports policy, regulation, and event management across Kuwait’s higher education sector.
Through these partnerships, GUST contributes to the development of fair, inclusive, and well-structured athletic programs that promote student engagement, health, and integrity. The University works alongside these committees to design and implement inter-university tournaments that uphold ethical standards, gender equality, and student well-being. Such collaborations demonstrate GUST’s commitment to using sport as a platform for sustainable development, strengthening institutional cooperation, and fostering a culture of wellness, respect, and fair competition within Kuwait’s academic community.
