Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth

Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth

RMIT is committed to advancing the principles of Goal 8 by promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and ensuring full, productive employment and decent work for all.

Through industry partnerships, innovative research, and community engagement, we foster an environment where economic opportunities are accessible to everyone. Our programs emphasise skills development and career readiness, preparing students to thrive in diverse workplaces. 

By integrating sustainable practices into our operations and supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, RMIT contributes to building a resilient economy that benefits individuals and communities alike.

Highlights of recent SDG 8 aligned activity are included below, with more information available in our 2024 Sustainability Annual Report (PDF 23 MB), with our 10 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.

2024 Case Studies

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With over 2,300 HDR candidates globally, RMIT’s research student community plays a vital role in advancing the University’s mission to deliver research with impact.

Our HDR cohort is highly international, with 321 candidates engaged in collaborative research training partnerships across 16 countries. A key focus for 2024 was increasing HDR internships and industry engagement.

Pleasingly, the number of candidates involved in industry activities – whether through reportable internships or cofounded PhD projects, rose to 117, up from 80 in 2023. We also exceeded our HDR completions target, achieving 423 completions against a goal of 400. The cohort also reported record levels of satisfaction with their experience.

RMIT has a growing number of Indigenous HDR candidates. To support and educate HDR supervisors, the Indigenous Research Network, in collaboration with the School of Graduate Research, hosted the Creating Waves event.

The event addressed supervision of Indigenous HDR candidates, research with Indigenous communities, and projects adopting Indigenous methodologies and ways of knowing.

RMIT Online's collaboration with South East Water exemplifies the fusion of education and industry expertise to address real-world challenges. 

By developing tailored digital courses, RMIT Online empowers South East Water employees with advanced skills in data analytics, cloud computing, and digital transformation. This initiative aligns with both organisations' commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Through this partnership, South East Water can effectively leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer service, while RMIT Online demonstrates its capability to deliver industry-relevant education. 

The collaboration highlights RMIT Online's role in supporting workforce development and driving positive change in the utilities sector.

Our Health Transformation Lab (HTL), in collaboration with the College of Vocational Education, Grampian’s Health and Cisco, was awarded almost AUD$1 million under the competitive Victorian Government Skills Solutions Partnerships (SSP) Program. 

The HTL will lead the development of a tailored education solution for upskilling the digital capabilities of Grampian’s Health staff, including IT professionals, managers and frontline staff.

RMIT's expertise in technology and education plays a pivotal role in developing solutions that address the unique challenges faced by regional healthcare providers. 

The initiative involves deploying Cisco's state-of-the-art technologies to enable better communication, data management, and access to remote healthcare services.

This partnership exemplifies RMIT's commitment to leveraging technology for social impact, aligning with the university's strategic priorities in health and innovation. By integrating cutting-edge technology, RMIT, Cisco, and Grampians Health are setting a new standard for healthcare delivery in rural areas, ensuring communities receive comprehensive and efficient care.

SDG Alignment Mapping Overview

As reported in the 2024 Sustainability Annual Report, there were 272 course units and 290 research projects aligned with SDG 8 in 2024, representing a wide range of initiatives related to decent work and economic growth.

Other research insights are captured in the data below.

  • Course Units (Total): 272
  • Research Projects (Total): 290
  • International Research Partnerships (Total): 60
  • Publications (Total): 183
  • Publications in Top 25% Journal Percentiles by SJR (%): RMIT - 80.5 vs. Global Average - 58.2
  • Citations per Publication: RMIT - 2.8 vs. Global Average - 2.1
  • Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): RMIT - 1.3 vs. Global Average - 1.3 
  • National Publication Contribution (%): 4.5%
  • International Collaboration (%): RMIT - 61.2 vs. Global Average - 27.3
  • Developing Country Collaboration (%): 52%
  • Low to Lower-Middle Income Country Collaboration (%): 34%

Research Projects and Initiatives Over the Years

The following research projects have been specifically aligned to Sustainable Development Goal 8 and the aim to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. These projects and initiatives are examples of the University’s contribution to the SDGs over the years.

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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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The Economic and Social Impacts of Mining in Madagascar

This research is concerned with the impacts of Large-Scale Mining (LSM) in Madagascar.

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SDGs Work Integrated Learning Placement

RMIT is partnering with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) to undertake a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Work Integrated Learning placement opportunity.

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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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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.

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