Provide Expert Advice to Government

Prince Sultan University (PSU) strengthens national governance and supports SDG 16—particularly in advancing effective institutions, policy innovation, and participatory decision-making—through strategic collaboration with government entities. A notable example is the partnership between PSU’s Local Administration Center and the Al-Baha Municipality, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This initiative aims to provide expert academic consultation to local authorities and create a transformative model for sustainable urban development in the region.

Through this partnership, PSU supports the municipality in developing evidence-based policies that enhance urban planning, improve housing solutions, and encourage sustainable investment and entrepreneurship within the municipal sector. The collaboration enhances institutional capacity by integrating academic research with municipal needs, offering expert guidance on governance frameworks, policy design, and implementation strategies aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and national sustainable development priorities.

This initiative exemplifies how universities can act as trusted advisors to government bodies, fostering transparency, accountability, and innovation in public institutions—core pillars of SDG 16. By providing expertise in sustainable urban development, PSU not only supports policy advancement but also nurtures a culture of academic-government collaboration to improve quality of life across local communities.

Prince Sultan University (PSU) has emerged as a leading example of how a higher education institution can drive both national and global climate action through its commitment to net-zero operations, climate-focused research, and participation in major international initiatives such as United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). As the first Saudi university to pledge to be a net-zero campus by 2060, PSU is playing a strategic role in supporting the Kingdom’s climate strategy and the wider global sustainability agenda. This brief sets out expert advice on how government can replicate, scale and accelerate such institutional commitments across the higher education sector — advancing both climate targets (SDG 13) and strong governance, inclusive institutions and partnerships (SDG 16).

Prince Sultan University (PSU) demonstrates a strong model of institutional participation in national development through its collaborative engagement with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA). Students from PSU’s Architecture Department have been selected to participate in the “DAL Studio” program at DGDA headquarters starting January 2024. This initiative brings together architecture students from both local and international universities to co-develop innovative landscape design solutions for Diriyah.

This collaboration serves as a practical example of how higher education institutions contribute to SDG 16—particularly targets related to strong institutions, inclusive decision-making, and cultural heritage governance—by: Promoting institutional cooperation between academia and national development authorities. Encouraging participatory and inclusive design processes, engaging young professionals in decision-making for heritage-sensitive urban development. supporting cultural heritage protection, ensuring that proposed landscape designs align with Diriyah’s identity, traditions, and historical value. And enhancing transparent, knowledge-based planning, whereby research, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration inform culturally responsible development.