Professor Andrew Linn, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Westminster, delivered a keynote presentation at the international scientific conference Sustainable Development Goals: Advancing High-Quality Education and Human Capital through Teaching Methodology and Innovations. The event was held at the International University of Humanities and Development (IUHD) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and provided an opportunity for Professor Linn to showcase how the University of Westminster has embedded the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its curriculum.
The conference, which took place on 27 October, brought together leading figures from education, government and the United Nations (UN) to explore new approaches to teaching and learning in support of sustainable development. Experts from around the world shared insights on how innovative methodologies, digitalisation and personalised learning can enhance the quality and impact of education systems.
Key aims of the event included improving teaching through innovation, enriching educational content and delivery, as well as advancing individualised learning practices. Speakers highlighted that the adoption of modern technologies and innovative practices is increasingly essential to contemporary education.
Professor Linn’s presentation marked the first activity undertaken by the University of Westminster following the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding with IUHD. He spoke about Westminster’s sector-leading work to embed the SDGs throughout its teaching, ensuring students across all schools gain meaningful engagement with sustainability.
Since 2024, the University has made Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) a priority across its Foundation and Undergraduate courses, targeting core curriculum at every level of study to enable all students to develop the knowledge and confidence needed to contribute to sustainable futures regardless of their chosen discipline.
This conference was one in many collaborations between the University of Westminster and IUHD. In January 2025 the Westminster partnered with IUHD to provide training for future English teachers in Turkmenistan studying at the Turkmen State University and at the Seyitnazar Seydi Pedagogical Institute in Türkmenabat. This was funded by the British Council as part of their Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia (AELLCA) programme. The conference was also the occasion formally to hand over copies of the learning materials created by the University in a ceremony which included His Majesty's Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Mr Stephen Conlon.
Since then, the University has won two further grants under this programme. The first to continue its existing partnership in Turkmenistan, supporting English learning and Inclusive Higher Education, and the second to develop new activity in partnership with two universities in Tajikistan.
Professor Linn said: “The University has been committed to supporting and partnering higher education in Central Asia for nearly a quarter of a century via our partnership with WIUT in Uzbekistan. It is an honour to extend this relationship as one of the first international universities to support the internationalisation ambitions of Turkmenistan. IUHD is the only fully English-medium university in the country, and with its focus on the humanities and social sciences, there is a natural link with some of our strongest research fields at Westminster.”
Andrew Linn’s talk and the University’s continued partnership with universities across the globe directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about the University’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in its latest Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024-25.
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