Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Oxford EMI & the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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How Oxford EMI helps universities contribute towards the SDGs

Oxford EMI offers courses and consultancy work which provide Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with skills and knowledge that contribute to the SDGs.

To achieve the highest quality support for universities and institutions, we have our in-house sustainability manager, with 20 years of expertise in sustainability, advising on our work:

How does Oxford EMI support the UN’s SDGs?

In 2015, United Nations member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Universities can contribute to the SDGs through their research, campus operations, community engagement and teaching.

SDG 4 is of direct relevance to universities, as it calls for universal access to quality higher education. It is a commitment to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.

Oxford EMI courses can help universities contribute to SDG 4 by:

Training lecturers to ensure students in English Medium Instruction (EMI) classes reach the required academic standards and English language requirements of the institution while actively promoting cross-cultural communication, improving the quality and speed of learning, and making sure all students have equal opportunities to participate and learn.

Oxford EMI courses can also help universities contribute to the other SDGs, in particular SDG 8, 10, 16 & 17.

Commitment to:

• SDG 8 – Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
  Oxford EMI courses can help universities contribute to SDG 8, for example by ensuring EMI classes equip students with the English language proficiency and skills needed for teamwork, international collaboration, and intercultural communication.
  
• SDG 10 – Reduce inequality within and among countries.
  High quality EMI classes can enhance access to better educational resources and opportunities, particularly for students from around the world who would otherwise be excluded from studying the course.
   In addition, Oxford EMI courses can help universities contribute to SDG 10, for example by ensuring EMI classes do not disadvantage domestic students and or/international students with lower language skills and by promoting active participation from all students in EMI classes, and making sure all students have equal opportunities to learn.
  
• SDG 16 – Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
  Oxford EMI courses and other consultancy work encourage institutions, that are growing their EMI offer, to give equal opportunity to non-native speaker EMI lecturers to prevent linguistic or cultural discrimination.
  Oxford EMI encourages institutions to guarantee an equal experience for all students, to actively integrate domestic and international students, to take an interdisciplinary focus, and to encourage cross-cultural communication and activity. This includes making the campus – both physical and virtual – bilingual or multilingual where necessary and accessible to all.
  
• SDG 17 – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
  Oxford EMI courses can help universities contribute to SDG 17, for example by training teachers to enhance students’ ability to engage internationally, equipping students with the language skills crucial for global partnerships and by encouraging opportunities for university lecturers to work in collaboration, both within their institutions and internationally.
  

Oxford EMI courses can help universities contribute to SDG 8, for example by ensuring EMI classes equip students with the English language proficiency and skills needed for teamwork, international collaboration, and intercultural communication.

Oxford EMI courses and other consultancy work encourage institutions, that are growing their EMI offer, to give equal opportunity to non-native speaker EMI lecturers to prevent linguistic or cultural discrimination.

Oxford EMI encourages institutions to guarantee an equal experience for all students, to actively integrate domestic and international students, to take an interdisciplinary focus, and to encourage cross-cultural communication and activity. This includes making the campus – both physical and virtual – bilingual or multilingual where necessary and accessible to all.

Oxford EMI courses can help universities contribute to SDG 17, for example by training teachers to enhance students’ ability to engage internationally, equipping students with the language skills crucial for global partnerships and by encouraging opportunities for university lecturers to work in collaboration, both within their institutions and internationally.