Saint Mary’s University (SMU) demonstrates a profound and institutionalized commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17): Partnership for the Goals by strategically positioning itself as a central platform for multi-sectoral collaboration and knowledge mobilization.

This commitment is realized through proactive engagement in cross-sectoral dialogue and the direct contribution of academic expertise to national and regional non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) policy development concerning the SDGs. Furthermore, SMU actively participates in international collaboration through research and data gathering initiatives focused on sustainability. This global perspective allows the University to systematically review comparative approaches and contribute to the development and dissemination of international best practices for tackling global challenges.

The effectiveness of these partnerships is sustained by an internal commitment to knowledge transfer and future leadership development. SMU ensures the extensive public availability and transfer of its research and knowledge to the wider community, effectively translating academic findings into tangible social impact and community empowerment. Crucially, the University systematically integrates the SDGs into its curriculum, deliberately measuring the sustainability literacy of its students to cultivate informed, critically thinking leaders prepared to manage and sustain these vital global partnerships.