Community SDG Education (17.4.3)

Outreach educational activities for alumni, local communities, and displaced populations.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) is deeply committed to advancing inclusive, equitable, and lifelong sustainability education for all members of society, including alumni, local communities, refugees, and displaced populations.
Through an extensive outreach framework, AAU ensures that SDG knowledge, skills, and awareness reach diverse groups beyond the boundaries of the campus.

The University adopts a community-based learning approach that delivers SDG-focused education through public lectures, awareness campaigns, specialized workshops, digital-literacy sessions, health programs, and environmental initiatives. These activities address key societal issues such as public health, gender equality, environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, climate resilience, and social inclusion.

Between 2023 and 2025, AAU organized a wide range of impactful community SDG programs, including health awareness activities through the Women’s Health Center, SDG seminars for the general public, sustainability awareness sessions in schools, and digital empowerment workshops supporting youth and vulnerable communities.

This approach directly advances:

SDG 4.7 – Education for Sustainable Development,
SDG 10.2 – Reduce Inequalities, and
SDG 17.17 – Partnerships for the Goals,

strengthening AAU’s mission as a university committed to community empowerment and social well-being.

Centers and Departments:

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1. Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC)

Coordinates outreach data collection and reporting.

Tracks participation and community education outcomes.

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2. Teaching and Learning Center

Supports faculty involvement in community SDG training and workshops.

Develops educational materials for public engagement.

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3. Deanship of Student Affairs

Manages volunteerism and community engagement programs.

Organizes student-led SDG education activities.

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4. Women’s Health Center

Implements outreach health education and awareness initiatives.

Provides free health services and SDG 3 awareness training.

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5. Global Engagement Center

Facilitates partnerships with NGOs and international education networks.

Expands outreach to refugees and marginalized groups.

Activities:

January
01

1. SDG Education and Sustainability Culture Development Policy

AAU’s SDG Education and Sustainability Culture Development Policy explicitly commits to extending sustainability education to external audiences, including alumni, NGOs, and local communities.
It institutionalizes lifelong learning as part of the university’s mission to promote inclusive and transformative education.

January
01

2. Women’s Health Center Community Programs

The Women’s Health Center at AAU leads awareness programs and free medical check-up campaigns in partnership with local health centers, targeting women and elderly populations.
These initiatives contribute to SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

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01

3. SDG Awareness Seminars and Public Lectures

AAU organizes open lectures and public seminars addressing global sustainability issues such as renewable energy, climate change, and social equity.
These events provide free access to education for non-students and community members.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

A . Performance Evaluation

1. Inclusive Outreach Programs

AAU delivers a series of free, SDG-focused educational workshops and awareness campaigns that benefit:

- university alumni,
- youth and families in local communities,
- refugees and displaced individuals,
- vulnerable groups requiring specialized support.

Programs include public sustainability lectures, digital literacy sessions, health awareness days, and environmental education activities.

2. Alumni Engagement in SDG Education

AAU alumni contribute to community SDG learning through:

- guest lectures,
- professional mentoring,
- participation in outreach and volunteer initiatives.

This enhances knowledge transfer and strengthens alumni-community partnerships.

3. Targeted Community Impact

Outreach activities address critical sustainability themes, including:

- public and women’s health,
- environmental protection,
- social inclusion and empowerment,
- climate and water awareness,
- entrepreneurial and digital skills.

These initiatives serve both urban and rural communities across Jordan.

4. Collaborative Partnerships

AAU works closely with:

- governmental bodies,
- NGOs and civil society organizations,
- local municipalities and community centers,
  to deliver SDG education to a wide audience, ensuring high accessibility and impact.

5. Monitoring and Public Reporting

The Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC) oversees data collection, verification, and reporting of all outreach activities.
Impact metrics, including participation levels, demographic reach, and learning outcomes, are published through:

- - the AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025,
  - the Executive Sustainability Report,
  - the AAU Sustainability Portal.

B. Development Actions

Action 1: SDG Community Learning Hub

Establish a permanent hub dedicated to coordinating community SDG education, accessible to alumni and local communities.
Target: Launch by 2026.

Action 2: Alumni SDG Engagement Program

Expand alumni involvement in SDG-based education through volunteering, mentorship, and public lectures.
Target: Engage 200 alumni annually.

Action 3: Refugee & Displaced Populations Learning Initiative

Deliver specialized workshops on SDG literacy, digital skills, environmental protection, and health awareness for refugees and displaced groups.
Target: Reach 1,000 participants by 2027.

Action 4: Community SDG Training Grants

Support faculty-led community outreach projects through annual sustainability education grants.
Target: Fund 10 projects per year.

Action 5: Annual Community SDG Impact Report

Publish a comprehensive report documenting outreach participation, community outcomes, and SDG education progress.
Target: First publication in 2026.

C. Benchmarking & Best Practice

AAU benchmarks its community SDG education initiatives against global leaders such as:

University of Cape Town (South Africa),
University of British Columbia (Canada),
University of Melbourne (Australia),

all recognized for delivering inclusive sustainability education to marginalized populations.

Adopted Best Practices

Lifelong learning programs targeting vulnerable communities.
Interdisciplinary SDG outreach delivered through multi-stakeholder collaborations.
Evidence-based reporting using social learning and community impact indicators.

Localization

AAU aligns its outreach strategy with:

Jordan’s National Lifelong Learning Strategy (2022–2030),
National Youth Empowerment Strategy,
National frameworks supporting refugee inclusion and community development.

Future Goal (by 2028)

Establish the AAU Center for Community Learning and SDG Education, serving as a national hub for:

sustainability literacy,
inclusive education,
community outreach,
volunteer mobilization,
SDG impact monitoring.

This Center will expand AAU’s role in empowering communities and advancing national sustainable development goals.

Institutional Integration Summary

Community SDG Education at Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) is coordinated through an integrated framework led by the Sustainability & International Ranking Center (SIRC) and the Deanship of Student Affairs, with participation from academic faculties, the Women’s Health Center, and community partners.

All outreach programs, whether health initiatives, SDG seminars, digital literacy sessions, or refugee learning programs, are verified, documented, and publicly reported.
This ensures transparency, impact measurement, and alignment with SDG 4, SDG 10, and SDG 17.

Through its inclusive outreach model, AAU strengthens community resilience, promotes equitable access to education, and enhances societal progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals.