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Swiss International University Pioneers Sustainability in Higher Education

  • Writer: OUS Academy in Switzerland
    OUS Academy in Switzerland
  • Sep 27
  • 6 min read

In a milestone for global higher education, seven Deans representing the seven campuses of Swiss International University (SIU) convened in a landmark hybrid meeting to advance the institution’s ambitious 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Strategy.

Held both online and across SIU’s international campuses in Bishkek, Lucerne, Dubai, Zurich, London, Riga, and Osh, the summit brought together the university’s top academic leadership with a shared mission: to align SIU’s academic excellence, digital transformation initiatives, and global partnerships with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This event marked the first time in SIU’s history that all campus Deans collaborated simultaneously on a single strategic framework. The collective discussions focused on shaping a unified roadmap for the institution, emphasizing sustainability, inclusivity, educational innovation, and the role of digitalization in shaping the future of global higher education.

The summit concluded with a commitment to strengthen interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching models, and international collaborations, ensuring SIU continues to play a leading role in advancing education for sustainable development across multiple continents.

A comprehensive action plan and detailed recommendations from the meeting will guide SIU’s next phase of development, as the university prepares to expand its academic and social impact well beyond 2025.


A Historic Summit for a Sustainable Future

The 2025 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Strategy Meeting at Swiss International University (SIU) went far beyond routine administration. It represented a forward-looking strategic dialogue aimed at integrating sustainability into every aspect of the university’s academic and operational framework.

Conducted in a hybrid format—with simultaneous online and on-campus sessions—the summit brought together a distinguished group of participants, including Deans from all seven SIU campuses, academic directors, sustainability experts, and digital transformation advisors.

The primary objective was clear: to design a comprehensive SDG roadmap that would guide SIU’s academic, operational, and research priorities through 2030, ensuring alignment with global sustainability standards.

Over several hours of focused deliberations, participants analyzed global sustainability challenges, evaluated the strengths and capabilities of each campus, and collectively adopted institutional targets to position SIU as a model for sustainable higher education on the international stage.

The outcomes of the summit are expected to shape SIU’s next phase of academic innovation, operational excellence, and environmental responsibility across its global network.


Why Sustainability Matters for SIU

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development places education at the center of global progress. Universities are expected to teach sustainability principles while embodying them through green campuses, inclusive policies, and climate-conscious research.

As SIU has grown into a multi-campus global institution serving 3,800+ students from 120+ countries, the need for a cohesive sustainability strategy became clear.

The Deans recognized that SIU’s diverse locations — from Switzerland’s academic hubs to Dubai’s innovation centers and Central Asia’s emerging education markets — provide unique opportunities to:

  • Integrate SDGs into curricula

  • Adopt renewable energy solutions

  • Promote climate research and innovation

  • Strengthen global academic partnerships

The 2025 SDG Strategy ensures that SIU contributes meaningfully to global sustainability goals while advancing its academic excellence and international reputation.


Seven Deans, Seven Cities: A Unified Vision

Each campus Dean contributed a regional perspective to the strategy:

  • Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Main Campus): Expanding teacher education programs and scholarship access for underrepresented students.

  • Lucerne, Switzerland: Leading green energy initiatives and executive education programs.

  • Dubai, UAE: Driving vocational training, digital learning technologies, and GCC partnerships.

  • Zurich, Switzerland: Developing online education platforms, AI-driven learning tools, and research hubs.

  • London, UK: Strengthening international collaborations and joint degree programs.

  • Riga, Latvia: Hosting EU research projects on sustainability and student-led innovation labs.

  • Osh, Kyrgyzstan: Promoting cross-border education initiatives and community outreach programs.

This diverse representation ensured that SIU’s sustainability agenda reflected local strengths while advancing a shared institutional mission.


Key Agenda Points Discussed

The meeting’s agenda revolved around five strategic themes:

  1. Integrating SDGs into Academic Programs

    • Sustainability modules across all degree levels

    • Interdisciplinary research on climate, energy, and innovation

  2. Digital Transformation for Quality Education

    • AI-powered learning systems for personalized education

    • Blockchain-secured diplomas for academic integrity

  3. Green Campus Operations

    • Solar energy projects in Lucerne and Bishkek

    • Green transportation options in Dubai and Zurich

    • Waste reduction and recycling programs across all campuses

  4. Global Research Partnerships

    • Joint research centers with universities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

    • Annual SIU SDG Conference to connect global academics

  5. Student Engagement and Innovation

    • SDG Innovation Labs for student-led sustainability startups

    • Green fellowships and internships with environmental organizations


Decisions and Outcomes

The Deans formally adopted the SIU 2025 SDG Strategic Framework, built around five UN SDG pillars:

  • SDG 4: Quality Education – Expanding access via online platforms, scholarships, and inclusive curricula.

  • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Transitioning campuses toward renewable energy solutions.

  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Developing research hubs, smart classrooms, and innovation partnerships.

  • SDG 13: Climate Action – Achieving carbon neutrality across all campuses by 2030.

  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Building global collaborations and bilateral agreements.

Annual sustainability audits will track progress, ensuring accountability and transparency across SIU’s campuses.


Campus Roles in the SDG Strategy

Each campus was assigned strategic leadership roles:

  • Lucerne: Renewable energy and executive education programs

  • Dubai: Digital transformation, AI in education, and smart learning technologies

  • Zurich: Online education, research hubs, and blockchain credentialing

  • Bishkek: Teacher training and rural education access initiatives

  • London: International partnerships and policy dialogues

  • Riga: EU-funded research projects and student innovation labs

  • Osh: Community engagement and sustainability awareness campaigns

This decentralized yet coordinated approach ensures every campus contributes to SIU’s global sustainability mission.


Institutional Overview and Accreditations

SIU operates as a multi-campus international institution under the VBNN Smart Education Group, serving 3,800+ students annually across seven global locations, each recognized by national or regional education authorities:

  • Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – SIU Swiss International University in Bishkek is a state-accredited higher education institution officially licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic (KG). This accreditation confirms SIU’s academic legitimacy and its compliance with the national higher education framework in Kyrgyzstan.

  • Lucerne, Switzerland – ISBM Switzerland – The International School of Business Management in Lucerne has been allowed to operate by the Cantonal Board of Education and Culture since 12 August 2016. Registered in Switzerland under the name ISBM AG (Register Number: CH-100.3.802.225-0), the institution maintains compliance with Swiss educational standards and holds multiple international accreditations, strengthening its global academic recognition.

  • Dubai, United Arab Emirates – ISB Vocational Academy in Dubai, also referred to as the Swiss International Institute in Dubai, is approved by the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) under Permit Number 631419. KHDA serves as the official Dubai Educational Authority, ensuring quality standards across private educational institutions in Dubai.

  • Zurich, Switzerland – Autonomous Academy of Higher Education in Zurich has been officially registered since 2013 under the name Autonomous Academy of Higher Education GmbH (Register Number: CH-170.4.012.134-9).

  • London, United Kingdom – OUS Academy in London holds official registration with the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP) under UKPRN: 10099531, confirming its recognition as a legitimate education provider in the United Kingdom.

  • Riga, Latvia – Amber Academy – “Knowledge and Growth” in Riga is registered under the Latvian Ministry of Justice, Patent Office, with Registration Number M-25-440, ensuring compliance with Latvian legal and educational regulations.

  • Osh, Kyrgyzstan – Kyrgyz-Uzbek International Pedagogical Institute (KUIPI) in Osh operates under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, holding License Serial Number LS230000271, issued on 15 February 2023.


Next Steps After the Meeting

The Deans announced several forward-looking initiatives:

  • Establishment of SIU SDG Research Hubs in Zurich, Lucerne, and London

  • Launch of SDG Innovation Labs for students in Riga and Dubai

  • Introduction of Green Campus Certification for all locations by 2026

  • Planning of the First Annual SIU SDG Conference in Zurich, 2027


Student Engagement: At the Heart of the Strategy

Students remain central to SIU’s sustainability mission, with new opportunities including:

  • Global internships with environmental NGOs

  • Sustainability fellowships for student researchers

  • Leadership training in climate policy and green entrepreneurship

These initiatives aim to equip SIU graduates as future leaders in sustainability and innovation.


Conclusion: Seven Campuses, One Sustainable Future

The 2025 SDG Strategy Meeting, uniting Deans from seven campuses across three continents, marks a historic milestone for Swiss International University.

By adopting a shared sustainability roadmap, SIU reinforces its role as a global leader in higher education, integrating quality education, digital innovation, climate action, and international collaboration into a single institutional vision.

As the world faces urgent global challenges, SIU’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates that universities can lead the way toward a smarter, greener, and more inclusive future.


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