Yemeni Universities and Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (Importance – Difficulties)

Abstract

The research aims to study the problematic relationship between Yemeni universities and achieving sustainable development goals, explaining this by stating the importance of this relationship as it enhances social and economic development, and helps in developing the capabilities and skills of university youth, on the one hand, and on the other hand, this process faces a number of difficulties, whether in the institutional framework of universities or in the framework of the societal structure. The research relied on the descriptive analytical approach as a scientific approach in research. The most important research tools are the use of sources, references and theoretical literature that are compatible with the research problem and its importance, as well as the use of statistical indicators and reports that clarify indicators of sustainable development in Yemen. The study reached several results, including:

- There is still a deficiency in the performance of Yemeni universities and their achievement of sustainable development goals.

- The failure of Yemeni universities and higher education to contribute to promoting economic growth, due to the weak partnership between the business sector and universities, as well as the lack of investment programs and projects aimed at developing the productive sector; Which leads to the circle of poverty increasing and expanding. 

- Weak investment in agricultural research, low productivity of research activity on the agricultural side, as well as weak coordination between Yemeni universities and the authorities responsible for agricultural development, and thus the limited contribution of universities to ensuring food security and achieving sustainable agricultural development.

The study also made a number of recommendations, including:

- Strengthening research that serves the Yemeni reality and solves its problems and working to apply its results on the ground.

- Strengthening academic freedom for Yemeni universities with increasing the support allocated to them, as well as establishing a partnership between the private sector and universities to obtain multiple sources of funding.