Goal 4 - Quality Education

Goal 4 - Quality Education

RMIT is committed to providing an exceptional educational experience for our diverse student body, with the RMIT Capabilities at the heart of this mission. These capabilities reflect our aspirations for graduates, focusing on distinctive, future-oriented knowledge and skills that support lifelong learning, career success, and wellbeing.

RMIT is committed to expanding access to quality education and creating learning opportunities that empower people to thrive throughout their lives and careers. 

As a global university of technology, design and enterprise, RMIT delivers innovative, industry-connected and inclusive education that equips learners with the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to address complex social, environmental and economic challenges. 

Through flexible pathways, work-integrated learning, lifelong learning opportunities and a strong focus on equity and inclusion, RMIT supports students from diverse backgrounds to succeed. 

Sustainability, ethical global citizenship and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems are embedded across teaching, learning and student experiences, helping prepare graduates to make a positive contribution in their communities and beyond.

Highlights of recent SDG 4 aligned activity are included below, with more information available in our 2025 Sustainability Annual Report (PDF 13 MB), with our 11 years of reporting progress outlined on the Sustainability Annual Report webpage

Broader sustainability contributions are also highlighted in our organisational Annual Report, which are tabled in the Victorian Parliament.

2025 Case Studies

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In 2025, RMIT formally endorsed the Regenerative Futures Institute (RFI), bringing together expertise from across the University to help learners develop the knowledge and skills needed to respond to complex environmental and social challenges. 

The Institute is creating new interdisciplinary learning opportunities that integrate regenerative thinking into areas including business, design, engineering, sustainability and social equity. 

A suite of stackable short courses and a new Regenerative Futures minor will enable students from diverse disciplines to explore innovative approaches to creating positive environmental and social impact. 

Through this work, RMIT is expanding education for sustainable development and preparing graduates to help shape a more regenerative future.

RMIT is embedding sustainability into design education through innovative learning experiences that prepare students to lead the transition to a circular economy. 

In 2025, researchers and educators from the School of Fashion and Textiles launched Refashioning: Accelerating Circular Product Design at Scale, a practical guide that translates leading research into approaches that prioritise durability, repair, reuse and end-of-life outcomes. 

The guide supports students and industry practitioners to apply circular design principles in real-world contexts and complements broader circular fashion initiatives that divert textile waste from landfill and embed sustainability throughout the curriculum. 

Through these initiatives, RMIT is developing graduates with the skills needed to transform the future of the fashion industry.

Work-integrated learning is a core part of the RMIT educational experience, providing students with opportunities to apply their learning in professional and community settings. 

In 2025, RMIT delivered more than 51,700 work-integrated learning activities, including over 14,600 placements supported by more than 4,200 industry and community partners. 

These experiences included placements, industry projects, community-engaged learning and simulated workplace environments across a wide range of disciplines. 

By connecting students with employers, industry experts and community organisations, RMIT helps learners build practical skills, gain valuable experience and improve their readiness for future careers while contributing to real-world challenges and opportunities.

2024 Case Studies

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RMIT Vietnam prioritises sustainability, integrating it into education as highlighted by a 2024 report from the School of Communication & Design. 

Associate Professor Donna Cleveland noted that 100% of the curriculum aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 95.7% incorporating sustainability elements. This prepares students for future careers by equipping them with skills to contribute to a sustainable future.

Dr Nguyen Van Thang Long emphasised the transformative learning environment created by combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to the SDGs. Associate Professor Rajkishore Nayak noted the curriculum's advantage for career readiness, particularly in the fashion industry. 

Challenges in implementing sustainability curricula were acknowledged by Dr Justin Battin, who stressed responsible practices beyond SDG labelling. Resource support for successful integration was advocated by Dr Hellmut Monz.

The report, ‘Integrating Sustainability in Curricula of School of Communication & Design,’ recommends strategies like enhancing stakeholder engagement and advocating for sustainability in academic training. 

A significant milestone was the Sustainability Symposium on 22 May 2024, themed ‘Imagining Sustainable Futures in Vietnam through Design and Communication,’ featuring a panel of six experts. This event showcased the school's leadership and RMIT Vietnam's commitment to advancing sustainability and preparing students for a sustainable future.

The Adventures of Soy Boy & Friends is a comic series co-designed with students, educators, and violence prevention experts to combat stereotypes and disinformation.

The term ‘Soy Boy’ is often used in the #manosphere to belittle men who don’t conform to traditional masculine ideals.

At RMIT, we’re creatively challenging these outdated narratives. In Semester 1 2024, young men were engaged on campus in a co-design process, including workshops and pop-ups, to explore creative ways to ‘rewrite the rules’ of the ‘Man Box’.

These sessions led to the creation of the Soy Boy comic storyline, offered as an alternative assessment for students in the Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media.

In Semester 2 2024, all students were invited to illustrate the comic as part of their coursework. Seven students participated, with Millie Ovenden’s adaptation selected for publication and promotion.

This project highlights how RMIT combines education, creativity, and innovation to challenge online narratives, drawing on young men’s lived experiences to redefine masculinity.

In collaboration with Deloitte, RMIT has launched the Sustainability and Climate-Related Financial Reporting short course (TSUS207) to equip professionals with the skills to navigate evolving sustainability and climate related financial standards. This course is aligned with key frameworks such as the International Sustainability

Standards Board (ISSB) and the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), focusing on the four pillars of governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.

Key learning outcomes:

  • Understand the impact of climate related risks and opportunities on financial performance.
  • Develop strategies for transparent and accountable climate-related reporting.
  • Identify and manage sustainability related risks and opportunities within organisational governance structures.

This course was designed for professionals in finance, accounting, sustainability, and governance roles seeking to enhance their expertise in climate-related financial reporting.

This course supports RMIT’s commitment to advancing sustainability as outlined in our Knowledge with Action strategy.

SDG Alignment Mapping Overview

As reported in the 2025 Sustainability Annual Report, there were 772 course units and 35 research projects aligned with SDG 4 in 2025, representing a wide range of initiatives for quality education. 

Other SDG aligned insights are captured in the data below.

772 Course Units

35 Research Projects

6 International Research Partnerships

144 Publications

  RMIT Global Average
Publications in Top 25% Journal Percentiles by SIR (%) 67.2 49.9
Citations per Publication 2.8 1.7
Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) 1.8 40%
National Contribution (%) 4.2% N/A
International Collaboration  41.0 21.3
Developing Country Collaboration (%) 40% N/A
Low to Lower-Middle Income Country Collaboration (%) 22% N/A

Research Projects and Initiatives Over the Years

The following research projects have been specifically aligned to Sustainable Development Goal 4 and the aim to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. These projects and initiatives are examples of the University’s contribution to the SDGs over the years.

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Self-training program for nascent entrepreneurs

In recent years, Vietnam’s economy experienced rapid growth and integration into the global economy.

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Bringing SDGs to Life in Accounting Education

The Accounting, Organisations and Society (AOS) course is a great example of commitment and innovation to meaningful education around the SDGs.

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Aquatic Pollution Prevention Partnership

The aims of this research partnership between Melbourne Water and RMIT University is to help prevent aquatic pollution.

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Animation in Cambodia

Animation in Cambodia is a project delivered jointly with the NGOs FutureSense & Challenges Abroad.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples