Research on Partnerships [List] (17.1)

Research addressing global, regional, and cross-sector partnerships advancing the SDGs. 

Introduction: 

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) demonstrates a strong institutional commitment to research that advances global, regional, and cross-sector partnerships in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its Deanship of Scientific Research and the Sustainability & Global Ranking Center, the university promotes interdisciplinary studies, collaborative projects, and co-authored publications that directly address SDG 17—Partnerships for the Goals—and its interlinkages with SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). 

AAU’s research philosophy is grounded in the principle that sustainable development requires evidence-based collaboration and shared innovation. Faculty members and researchers engage in joint research initiatives with international universities, governmental bodies, and private-sector partners to produce practical solutions in areas such as renewable energy, digital transformation, sustainable finance, public health, and social inclusion. These initiatives are supported by memoranda of understanding (MoUs), participation in international conferences, and funded research programs that emphasize capacity building, policy development, and regional knowledge exchange. 

In recent years, AAU’s research output has shown significant growth in co-authored publications indexed in Scopus and Elsevier, particularly within multidisciplinary journals focusing on sustainability, climate adaptation, and institutional collaboration. The university’s researchers actively contribute to global and regional consortia, including the Arab Universities Network for Sustainable Development, the UI GreenMetric Research Collaboration Group, and the QS Sustainability Research Cluster. 

Collectively, these efforts ensure that AAU’s research transcends institutional boundaries and contributes directly to transformative partnerships linking academia with policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society. Each research project reinforces the principles of knowledge transfer, innovation diffusion, and inclusive partnership development, positioning AAU as a regional leader in sustainability-driven research collaboration. 

Ultimately, this research portfolio serves as formally published evidence of AAU’s strategic integration of SDG-oriented research within its academic mission—producing scientific knowledge that drives cooperative action, shared responsibility, and measurable progress toward the UN 2030 Agenda. 

1. Performance Evaluation
   

   Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) demonstrates exceptional and consistent performance in advancing research dedicated to global, regional, and cross-sector partnerships that drive progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 
   Between 2023 and 2025, AAU researchers produced more than 40 peer-reviewed publications emphasizing partnership-based solutions across diverse domains, including sustainability governance, renewable energy collaboration, digital transformation, climate resilience, green finance, and inclusive education. 

   Approximately 46% of all sustainability-related research during this period integrated a partnerships dimension (SDG17)—either through international co-authorship, inter-institutional research grants, or policy-based collaborations with ministries and civil society. This indicates a strong institutional culture of collaborative innovation and knowledge co-production. 

   All partnership-related research activities are systematically monitored through the Sustainability & Global Ranking Center, in cooperation with the Deanship of Scientific Research, ensuring data accuracy, transparency, and traceability. The research outputs are indexed in the AAU Research and Innovation Dashboard, which tracks the scope, SDG alignment, and measurable outcomes of every collaborative project. 
   Through this framework, AAU ensures that partnerships are not limited to symbolic cooperation but produce tangible results in research impact, policy development, and community advancement—strengthening its position as a regional model for partnership-driven scholarship. 
   
   

2. Development Actions
   

   Target (2025–2027): Increase the proportion of research outputs focused on partnerships and collaborative sustainability solutions to at least 55% of total sustainability-related publications by 2027. 

   Action 1: Establish the AAU Global Partnerships Research Cluster (2025–2026) Foster interdisciplinary collaboration between environmental science, business, technology, and policy research to co-develop SDG-focused innovation frameworks. 
   Action 2: Launch the “Collaborative Impact Research Fellowship” Program (2026). Support faculty and graduate students conducting joint research projects with international universities and development organizations focusing on multi-SDG impact. 
   Action 3: Introduce a Global Research Partnership Fund (2025 – 2027). Provide institutional grants to co-authored projects involving cross-border partners, UN agencies, and regional networks. 
   Action 4: Develop the “AAU Partnership Knowledge Portal” (2026–2027) Create a centralized digital repository showcasing all SDG17-related publications, impact indicators, and policy contributions from AAU research teams. 

   These actions aim to institutionalize sustainability partnerships as a permanent research driver, linking AAU’s scientific output with real-world problem-solving, innovation ecosystems, and global cooperation mechanisms.
   
   

3. Benchmarking & Best Practice
   

   Benchmarking Reference: 

   AAU benchmarks its performance against leading global institutions such as University of Cambridge (UK) and National University of Singapore (NUS), both recognized for integrating multi-stakeholder research collaborations into their sustainability strategies. 

   Adopted Practice: 

   AAU implements a partnership-mapping model that links each publication to specific SDG targets and partnership categories (academic, governmental, private sector, or NGO). Each collaborative research project includes an impact tracking framework to measure contributions to shared global goals, knowledge exchange, and innovation diffusion. 

   Local Adaptation: 

   AAU localizes these international practices by aligning research partnerships with Jordan’s National Sustainable Development Strategy, focusing on energy transition, water management, digital inclusion, and policy innovation. The university collaborates with the Ministry of Environment, Jordan Engineers Association, and Arab Universities Network for Sustainability to amplify national and regional impact. 

   Future Benchmark Goal: 

   By 2028, AAU aims to establish the Regional SDG Partnership Observatory, a dedicated research hub for analyzing, publishing, and benchmarking university-level partnership performance across Arab higher education institutions. The observatory will issue annual SDG17 Impact Reports that document progress in international collaboration, research productivity, and societal outcomes.