The future of sustainable development will depend not only on governments and industry, but also on the ideas, research and partnerships emerging from universities. It is against this backdrop that the University of South Africa (Unisa), led by Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, is participating in the Times Higher Education (THE) Global Sustainable Development Congress 2026, contributing African perspectives to global conversations on sustainability, innovation and societal transformation.

This international congress commenced on the 22^nd and concludes on the 25^th of June 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Global Sustainable Development Congress brings together close to 5 000 leaders from universities, government, business and civil society from across the world to advance solutions that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organised by THE, the congress serves as a platform for higher education institutions to examine how teaching, research, partnerships and innovation can contribute to sustainable development.

For Unisa, participation in the congress reflects both its growing international profile and its commitment to positioning African scholarship at the centre of global debates about sustainable futures.

Unisa and Times Higher Education: A strategic relationship

THE is one of the world's leading higher education data and rankings organisations. Beyond its well-known global university rankings, THE has become a major advocate for measuring and promoting universities' contributions to the SDGs through its Impact Rankings and the Global Sustainable Development Congress.

Unisa's relationship with THE has evolved through its participation in global rankings, sustainability assessments and international higher education forums. The university's growing visibility in sustainability and social impact initiatives has strengthened its role within the global higher education community.

Notably, Unisa is not merely a participant at the 2026 congress. The university is recognised as one of the event's regional co-host institutions, alongside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, underscoring its role in contemporary sustainability discourse.

The congress closely aligns with Unisa's institutional vision of being a leading African university, shaping futures in the service of humanity. It also provides a platform to demonstrate how a comprehensive open, distance and eLearning (CODeL+) institution can contribute meaningfully to sustainable development on a global scale.

Advancing an African-centred sustainability agenda

One of the highlights from the first day was a high-level session led by LenkaBula titled "Advancing Global Sustainability Science, Futures and Impact through CODeL Universities: The Case of the University of South Africa". The session, facilitated by Prof Tshepo Lephakga, Professor of Ethics and Chair of the Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology, explored how universities can move beyond traditional approaches to sustainability and become active agents of social, economic and environmental transformation.

From left: Prof Tshepo Lephakga, Professor of Ethics and Chair of the Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology, College of Human Sciences; Dr Mzwanele Ntshwanti, Senior Lecturer, Economics, College of Economic and Management Sciences; Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and Vice-Chancellor; Prof Nomvano Mketo, Acting Director, School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Technology; and Dr Matsheliso Molapo, Acting Vice-Principal: Strategy, Risk and Advisory Services

In her presentation, LenkaBula argued that sustainability must be understood within the realities and historical contexts of the Global South. Rather than viewing sustainability simply as environmental stewardship, she positioned it as a broader project that addresses poverty, inequality, unemployment and institutional renewal. She emphasised that universities have a responsibility to produce knowledge that contributes directly to social transformation and improved quality of life.

"Sustainability is ultimately about people. It is about restoring dignity, expanding opportunity and ensuring that the knowledge produced by universities contributes to a more just, equitable and humane society," said LenkaBula.

Central to Unisa's approach is its identity as a CODeL institution. With a student population exceeding 400 000 and a footprint in more than 130 countries, the university uses digital and multimodal learning platforms to expand access to education, create pathways for social mobility across the globe, and, most importantly, support historically marginalised communities.

Dr Matsheliso Molapo, Acting Vice-Principal: Strategy, Risk and Advisory Services, reinforced the importance of embedding sustainability throughout institutional systems and decision-making processes.

"Sustainability cannot be treated as a stand-alone project. It must inform how universities govern, manage risk, allocate resources and fulfil their responsibility to society," said Molapo.

Research with impact

A major focus of the discussion was the role of science and innovation in addressing pressing societal challenges, and the university’s Catalytic Niche Areas, which serve as strategic drivers of sustainable development and continental impact, align with this year's congress thematic areas.

Complementing this vision, Prof Ntakadzeni Mketo, Chair of the Department of Chemistry in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, reflected on how Unisa is translating research into practical solutions through its specialised research institutes and centres of excellence. These include the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), which develops biodegradable nanomaterials for water purification, and the Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions (ICES), which focuses on renewable energy technologies and sustainable fuel production.

"Research has its greatest impact when it moves beyond laboratories and journals to address the challenges faced by communities. Innovation must improve lives and contribute to sustainable development," said Mketo.

These initiatives demonstrate how the university is aligning scientific inquiry with societal needs while contributing to several SDGs, particularly those related to clean water, affordable energy, industry innovation and partnerships. Through collaborations with local and international partners, Unisa is also supporting postgraduate training, innovation, intellectual property development and community engagement.

Reimagining the role of universities

Similarly, another important contribution at the congress came from Dr Mzwanele Ntshwanti, Senior Lecturer, Economics, College of Economic and Management Sciences at Unisa, whose presentation challenged conventional assumptions about the role of universities in economic development.

Ntshwanti argued that universities do not merely respond to economic systems; they actively shape them. He called for economic models that are inclusive, sustainable and socially responsive. Rather than reinforcing extractive economic practices, universities should help build productive, resilient and democratic economies that advance both human development and environmental integrity.

"The question is not whether universities shape economies, but what kind of economies they help create. Higher education institutions have a responsibility to foster systems that are equitable, sustainable and responsive to societal needs," said Ntshwanti.

A global platform for African futures

As discussions continued throughout the congress, Unisa's presence in Jakarta demonstrated the university's commitment to imprinting African perspectives on global conversations about sustainability, development and the future of higher education.

The congress is more than an international gathering. It provides an opportunity to interrogate prevailing development models, strengthen international partnerships and explore how universities can contribute meaningfully to addressing complex global challenges.

The Unisa delegation at the congress

Unisa continues to advance its mission of shaping futures in the service of humanity by placing African knowledge systems, innovation and human-centred development at the heart of sustainability conversations, while contributing to global efforts to achieve the SDGs.

* By Nolwazi Mwabi, Director: Communication, Marketing and Events, Department of Institutional Advancement