The Role of Higher Education in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract This chapter focuses on the relationship between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and higher education. Higher education has traditionally been expected to play three significant roles: education, research, social contribution. However, due globalization, these societal roles expectations are gradually evolving. There two targets under SDG that directly related Target 4.3 aims “ensure equal access for all women men affordable quality technical, vocational, tertiary including university.” It is noteworthy target mentions not only accessibility but also quality. Additionally, Times Education released Impact Ranking visualized a university’s global performance, which assesses universities according framework of SDGs. Japan was most represented nation in 2019, highlighting Japanese universities’ active efforts work issues. While various have made achieve indicators targets, impact COVID-19 provided opportunity role be reconsidered. Considering this background, introduces activities initiatives at institutions, such as Science Technology ResearchPartnership (SATREPS), promotes international joint research Finally, presents further challenges society through indirect spillover effects other goals