2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This report explores the transformative role of global education in advancing a sustainable future by examining its impact on environmental consciousness, social responsibility, and cultural awareness. It aligns global education initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenges, emphasizing the synergy between these frameworks. The report advocates for integrating global perspectives into educational systems to develop individuals capable of addressing complex global challenges.

The analysis reveals that global education fosters sustainability by enhancing cross-cultural understanding and providing tools to tackle international issues. It highlights how engineering solutions, aligned with the SDGs and NAE Grand Challenges, contribute to sustainability. The report also underscores the importance of cultivating global citizenship through education, which UNESCO identifies as crucial for achieving sustainable development goals.

Addressing the urgent need for a strategic approach to globalize education without additional resources, the report emphasizes leveraging creativity and the growing diversity of the student body. It details how increased international student enrollment in the U.S. enriches educational environments and supports global citizenship.

Furthermore, the report discusses the essential values for future engineers, including empathy, ethics, and cultural awareness, proposing strategies for integrating sustainability into engineering education. A new course is recommended to prepare engineering students for the globalized field, covering cultural, ethical, and practical aspects of global engineering.