Al Ain University Participates in the Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026 in Indonesia
- Posted on:Jun 26, 2026
Al Ain University participated in the Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026, organized by Times Higher Education in Jakarta, Indonesia, alongside leading global figures from universities, governments, business sectors, and non-governmental organizations, to support progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The congress served as a global platform for knowledge exchange, strategic dialogue, and building opportunities for collaboration around sustainability priorities. It addressed several key themes, including scientific research, innovation, green technologies, sustainable development, resilience, and SDG-focused impact.
Al Ain University was represented at the congress by Prof. Nazih Khaddaj Mallat, Vice President for Accreditation and Quality Assurance, who participated in two panel discussions addressing the role of artificial intelligence in supporting sustainability and advancing the quality of higher education.
The first panel discussed the topic “AI and Sustainability in the Health Science World: Building Future-Ready Healthcare Professionals,” during which Prof. Mallat presented the impact of artificial intelligence and sustainability on the future of health education and professional development. He highlighted the importance of adopting AI-enabled solutions and sustainable approaches to advance healthcare services. He also emphasized the need for universities to prepare future healthcare professionals by equipping them with technological competencies and ethical responsibility, while aligning health science education with the Sustainable Development Goals to promote innovation and support sustainable healthcare systems. He further called for stronger collaboration among academic institutions, the healthcare sector, and technology experts to address future healthcare challenges.
The second panel, titled “The Digital Future: AI and the Frontier of Education Quality and Equality,” explored the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of higher education, with a focus on quality assurance, institutional performance, and learning equity. It also addressed the role of AI in supporting data-driven governance and enhancing academic quality systems, as well as its applications in personalized education, student performance analytics, predictive modeling, and continuous improvement processes.
Prof. Mallat emphasized the importance of digital transformation in building more inclusive and accessible learning environments and reducing educational gaps. He also highlighted the need for the ethical, transparent, and fair use of artificial intelligence in education to ensure equity across all learner groups, stressing the importance of adopting AI-enabled quality frameworks and digital innovation strategies in higher education institutions.
As part of the congress, the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 certificate distribution ceremony was held to recognize institutions that demonstrated outstanding contributions toward supporting the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Al Ain University was ranked 84th globally, reflecting its commitment and ongoing efforts to advance sustainability, support scientific research, and achieve societal impact.
Al Ain University’s participation in the Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026 reflects its commitment to strengthening its international presence in sustainability, scientific research, and innovation, while reinforcing its role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through education, global partnerships, and societal impact.
