What the study found
The study found that Sustainable Development Goal 4, which focuses on quality education, provides a framework for universities to rethink curriculum design and assessment. It also found that aligning curriculum content with the SDGs, working with industry, and designing assessments around critical thinking and practical problem-solving are part of quality education curriculum development.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that operationalising SDG 4 can help bridge the gap between higher education curricula and industry needs. They also suggest that curriculum design, assessment, and industry engagement should be aligned with sustainability, inclusivity, and practical problem-solving principles.
What the researchers tested
The researchers carried out an in-depth literature review of 20 journal articles published between 2015 and 2025 in the Web of Science. The articles were selected for topic relevance and their ability to answer the research question.
What worked and what didn't
The review indicated that explicit alignment of the SDGs with curriculum and course content development can support a quality education curriculum. It also identified working closely with industry, meeting industry needs and international standards, and including critical thinking in assessment as important elements. After the COVID-19 pandemic, staff and students’ work-life balance was described as a core consideration in quality curriculum development.
What to keep in mind
This summary is based on a literature review rather than a direct intervention study. The abstract does not describe specific limitations beyond the scope of the 20 reviewed articles.
Key points
- SDG 4 is described as a framework for improving curriculum design and assessment in higher education.
- The study says curriculum content should be aligned explicitly with the SDGs.
- Industry involvement is presented as important for developing programs that meet industry needs and international standards.
- Assessment should support critical thinking and practical problem-solving.
- Work-life balance for staff and students was noted as a core curriculum consideration after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- SDG 4 framework supports quality higher education curriculum design
- Authors:
- Kaitano Dube
- Institutions:
- Emirates Aviation University, Vaal University of Technology
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-10
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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