SDG 17: PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS

SDG 17.4.4 – Measuring the Sustainability Literacy of Students

1. Introduction

AlMaarefa University demonstrates an institutional commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals by systematically measuring the sustainability literacy of its students. As part of the university’s sustainability strategy, an internationally recognized assessment tool—the Sulitest TASK Sustainability Literacy Assessment—was implemented during the 2024–2025 academic year. The assessment evaluates students’ knowledge, awareness, and competencies across all 17 SDGs, global systems, human welfare, and sustainability governance.

This report details how the university measures sustainability literacy in alignment with THE Impact Ranking Indicator 17.4.4.

2. Overview of the Sustainability Literacy Assessment

AlMaarefa University conducted a structured, formal assessment using the TASK by Sulitest, a globally validated digital instrument designed to measure core sustainability competencies. The assessment evaluates literacy across multiple dimensions, including:

• SDG-specific knowledge (Goals 1–17)
• Earth systems and planetary boundaries
• Human welfare and social well-being
• Systems thinking and interlinkages among SDGs
• Governance, finance, and collective action pathways

Students respond to timed competency-based questions, and results are automatically compiled into institutional dashboards that measure performance, knowledge gaps, and literacy levels.

3. Participation and Coverage

A total of 63 participants completed the sustainability literacy assessment. This group included:

• Undergraduate students across multiple colleges
• Faculty members
• Administrative staff

Although the primary focus was on student literacy, participation of academic and administrative personnel provided a broader internal benchmark and further strengthened the university’s sustainability culture.

The assessment generated:

• Individual performance results
• Aggregate institutional metrics
• Score distributions
• Results broken down by SDG, domain, and knowledge type

This demonstrates comprehensive coverage and meaningful student engagement across the university.

4. Key Assessment Dimensions Measured

The TASK assessment provided a multi-dimensional evaluation of sustainability literacy across the following areas:

4.1 Earth Systems

Participants were assessed on their understanding of environmental systems, climate dynamics, and planetary boundaries.
The compiled results show an overall literacy score reflecting moderate competency in global ecological processes.

4.2 Human Welfare and Social Well-Being

Students demonstrated knowledge of health systems, safety, equity, community well-being, and social protection structures.

4.3 SDG-Specific Literacy

The assessment generated individual score profiles for all 17 SDGs, showing strengths in areas such as:

• Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
• Quality Education (SDG 4)
• Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure (SDG 9)

and identified areas where targeted curricular enhancements could further improve competencies.

4.4 Interlinkages and Systems Thinking

Results included composite scores measuring the ability to understand relationships between global challenges, policy responses, scientific evidence, and sustainability pathways.

4.5 Governance, Economy & Collective Action

Students were evaluated on their understanding of the role of governments, institutions, economic systems, and community engagement in advancing the SDGs.

5. Evidence of Institutional Commitment

The university’s use of the TASK by Sulitest demonstrates a structured, evidence-based approach to measuring sustainability literacy through:

• A standardized, globally benchmarked assessment tool
• Comprehensive dashboards showing SDG-aligned literacy outcomes
• Performance analysis across different competency categories
• Participation from students, faculty, and administrators
• Integration of results into academic and co-curricular development efforts

This clearly shows that the university measures sustainability literacy regularly and purposefully, meeting the criteria for SDG 17.4.4.

6. Application of Results

AlMaarefa University uses the results of the assessment to:

1. Identify literacy gaps among students
2. Improve curriculum design in sustainability-related courses
3. Guide co-curricular programming such as workshops, campaigns, and awareness initiatives
4. Support integration of SDGs into general education and college-specific courses
5. Inform institutional sustainability planning and reporting

The data collected serves as a benchmark for year-over-year improvement and supports the university’s strategic goals for sustainability education.

7. Conclusion

AlMaarefa University has established a robust system for measuring sustainability literacy through the TASK Sulitest assessment, demonstrating clear commitment to SDG 17.4.4. Through participation of 63 individuals—including students, faculty, and staff—the university has validated its alignment with international standards for sustainability education assessment.

This initiative not only supports THE Impact Rankings requirements but also reinforces AlMaarefa University’s mission to cultivate responsible, sustainability-aware graduates capable of contributing to national and global development priorities.

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