APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship

Online & Thailand or Malaysia | June-August 2025

Travel dates: July 19-27, 2025

The APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship (APRU SDG4GC) is an intercultural, transdisciplinary, and interactive program that fosters global citizenship among students from 61 universities in 18 economies across the Pacific Rim. Co-designed by several core-partner universities in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), the program builds knowledge of global issues and global literacy among students. This is achieved through learning about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exploring in-depth some of the world’s biggest challenges, and proposing solutions using a framework for collaborative development of social innovation prototypes.

The program places critical importance in introducing locally embedded unique case studies among the network members to help students develop a broad array of perspectives and deepen understanding of the SDGs.  In the 2025 program, APRU SDG4GC will conduct a hybrid program under the umbrella theme of “Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity: Actions for Sustainability” The program will explore the many dimensions of wellbeing including social, cultural, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, mental, physical, and economic.  By drawing on multiple disciplines and practices, the program aims to build a strong sense of global citizenship toward resilient global communities. 

Learn more: https://apru-sdg4gc.chula.ac.th/about-2025 

Students may also be interested in the APRU Undergraduate Leadership Program 2025 in Santiago, Chile.

Students will

  • develop a broad array of perspectives and deepen their understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the involvement of unique case studies from APRU network members. 
  • develop and understanding of SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and larger societal issues faced by their own communities and comparatively, across other communities represented in the cohort. 
  • gain in-depth knowledge, wisdom and inspiration from actors on the ground in Malaysia or Thailand via onsite community engagement. 
  • develop ethical understanding and practices of community-engaged research.  
  • develop skills and understanding of design thinking and social innovation as a tool to design and prototype a new initiative to address a community challenge.    
  • develop intercultural communication, research, coordination, and presentation skills by learning and working together with a diverse group of students and mentors.   

Program

The program introduces locally embedded unique case studies from the network members to

  • foster global citizenship via SDG education/learning. 
  • provide new intercultural, international, and transdisciplinary learning opportunities for the participants. 
  • co-create knowledge for sustainability via multi-stakeholder engagements, including UN linkages. 
  • build knowledge of global issues and global literacy among students. 

Key Dates

  • Online program starts  June 2, 2025  
  • Onsite program (in Thailand or Malaysia) July 19-27, 2025
  • Social Innovation Pitching Competition (online)  August 29, 2025  

Costs and award

  • There is no program fee to participate.
  • Students are responsible for the cost of travel, accommodations (~$50 CAD/night for 8 nights) and dinners. 
  • Breakfasts and lunches are included. 
  • Selected and eligible UBC participants will receive a $1000 Go Global Award.
  • The Go Global fee of $423.25 will be waived (not charged)

The organizing committee will determine your placement of onsite program, however, you can indicate your preference in the application form (either Malaysia or Thailand).

Student eligibility

  • Current UBC degree student in any area (any faculty, graduate and undergraduate) in good standing
  • Full-time in your faculty, usually 60% of a full course load (e.g. min of 9 credits per term for Arts or Science)
  • Currently in 2nd year (undergraduate), or above
  • Committed to participating online and in-person

Application

Students must apply through UBC and directly to the program organizers.

  • Apply online through the Go Global Gateway by February 13, 2025

    • Search Experiences "APRU SDG Education for Global Citizenship"
    • You will be asked to answer a few questions briefly (300 words per response)
      • Your learning goals and motivation for applying
      • Past intercultural experience
      • Group learning

    Then apply online to the program organizers by February 20, 2025 https://apru-sdg4gc.chula.ac.th/apply-now-2025/ 

    The organizing committee will determine your placement of onsite program, however, you can indicate your preference in the application form (either Malaysia or Thailand).

     

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