The second day of the Global Sustainable Development Congress (GSDC 2025), held in Istanbul from June 16 to 19 and organized by Times Higher Education, witnessed the continued active presence of Al-Mustaqbal University’s delegation in this prominent international academic event.

The day commenced with the “Wellness Zone” session led by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, focusing on initiatives that promote physical and mental well-being in academic environments. This was followed by high-level opening speeches from several government representatives, including the Turkish Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology, the Minister of Education in Northern Cyprus, and the President of the Turkish Council of Higher Education. Their remarks underscored the essential role of universities in supporting climate policies and sustainable development agendas, particularly in light of the upcoming COP29.

Al-Mustaqbal’s delegation also participated in the main session titled “Turkey’s Vision for Education for a Sustainable Future”, where national strategies were presented to empower academic institutions in driving educational transformation aligned with environmental and social priorities.

A highlight of the day was the exclusive live announcement of the THE Impact Rankings 2025, a global benchmark for evaluating universities’ progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This event allowed the university delegation to gain insights into the latest global trends and criteria that shape academic performance rankings.

Additionally, the delegation attended a range of specialised sessions covering topics such as “Universities as Incubators for Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship,” “Digital Future in Agriculture and Animal Health,” and “Global Health Challenges in the Era of the Diabetes Pandemic.” They also engaged in open discussions on cross-border education, developmental equity, and the role of international collaboration in advancing green innovation.

This participation reflects Al-Mustaqbal University’s strategic vision to expand its global engagement and establish itself as a leading academic institution committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, contributing actively to shaping the future of higher education regionally and globally.

AlMustaqbal University, first University in Iraq