1. The Role of University Research in Sustainable Development
Turki I. Obaidat
Prof. of Civil Engineering, President
Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan
4th Arab-Euro Conference on Higher Education (AECHE 4)
24-26, April 2017
University Mohammad V, Rabat, Morocco

2. The common global drivers of change.
Objectives
The common global drivers of change.
Definitions of sustainable development.
Concept of university research for sustainable development.
Characteristics of university research for sustainable development.
Prof. Turki I. Obaidat

3. Global Drivers of Change [1]
Climate Change
Pollution
Converging New Technologies
Wastes
World Economic Power Shifts
Demographics
Energy
Heath and well being
Water Shortages
Mobility
Poverty
Values and People
Prof. Turki I. Obaidat

4. Definitions of Sustainable Development (SD)
SD is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs [2]
A sustainable society is one that can persist over generations, one of that is far-seeing enough, flexible enough, and wise enough not to undermine either its physical or its social systems of support [3].
Sustainable is an economic state … where you leave the world better than you found it, take no more than you need, try not to harm life or the environment [4].
Prof. Turki I. Obaidat

5. Concept of University Research for SD
All research conducted within the institutional context of a university that contributes to sustainable development [5].
This concept does not neglect the growing trend of collaborative research between universities and other types of organizations.
“All” research ranging from fundamental to applied and covers all disciplines (biology, chemistry, economics, environmental science, history, physics, political science, etc.)
Prof. Turki I. Obaidat

6. Areas of University Research for SD
According to the world’s Scientific Academies, research for SD should be strengthened in four areas [6]:
Sustaining long-term basic research and linking it to societal goals.
Coupling global, national, and local institutions into effective research systems.
Linking academia, government, and the private sector in collaborative research partnerships.
Integrating disciplinary knowledge into interdisciplinary, locally focused, problem-driven research and application efforts.
Prof. Turki I. Obaidat

7. Characteristics of University Research for SD [5]
Content Characteristics: are related to the subject that is being researched (what):
Different levels of scale (local-global)
Different time perspectives (short, medium and long term)
Distribution aspects (equal distribution of welfare).
Multidimensionality (economy, environment, institutional, social)
North-South (social justice)
Precautionary principle (dealing with uncertainties)
Prof. Turki I. Obaidat

8. Characteristics of University Research for SD / Cont’d
Process Characteristics: are related to the way research is conducted (How):
Action oriented
Collaboration (International and sectorial)
Continuity
Independence
Knowledge transfer
Multi-/ Interdisciplinary
Problem oriented
Participation (including local knowledge)
Impact monitoring
Transparency
Prof. Turki I. Obaidat

9. References
Global Drivers of Change to Natural English Commissioned Report NECRO30, 2009.
World Commission on Environment and Development. Our Common Future. Oxford University Press, 1987.
Meadows, D.H., Meadows, D.L., and Randers, J. Beyond the Limits: Confronting Global Collapse- Envisioning a Sustainable Future. Post Mills, 1992.
Hawken, P, The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability, New York, Harper Business, 1993.
Waas,T., Verbruggen, A. and Wright, T., University Research for Sustainable Development: definition and Characteristics explored. Journal of Cleaner Production 18, Elsevier, 2010.
Hassan, M., Transition to Sustainability in the Twenty- First Century: The Contribution of Science and Technology. Report of the World Conference of Scientific Academies. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 2(1), 2001.
Prof. Turki I. Obaidat

10. Thank you