This study explores the intersection of financial performance and sustainable economic development in Malaysia, emphasizing the role of interdisciplinary education in fostering long-term growth. In light of Malaysia’s 2021 budget priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly economic sustainability, the research investigates how stock market performance influences national output growth. Using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis, the study evaluates five macroeconomic variables—stock market capitalization (MCAP), inflation rate, government expenditure, school enrollment, and openness—over a 23-year period (1989–2011). The findings reveal that MCAP is the most significant variable affecting output growth, highlighting the importance of robust financial systems in driving sustainable development. The study underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches that integrate finance, education, and policy to enhance economic resilience. School enrollment, though less statistically significant, represents a critical link between education and economic performance, suggesting that financial literacy and education reform are essential for empowering future generations. By bridging economic theory, financial analytics, and educational policy, this research contributes to a holistic understanding of sustainable development. It advocates for finance education as a strategic tool to equip individuals with the knowledge to navigate and contribute to increasingly complex global financial systems. Ultimately, the study supports the integration of interdisciplinary education into national development strategies to ensure inclusive, informed, and sustainable economic growth.

Low-achieving students with behavioural issues often struggle to encounter academic potentials due to difficulties in motivation, concentration, and social interaction. This action research intended to implement effective instructional approaches to improve both learning outcomes and classroom behaviour among these students. The study was led in a secondary school in Malaysia and involved twelve Year 10 Biology students known as low-achieving, very low-achieving, and failing. A qualitative, quasi-experimental method was employed to discover how group discussions and presentations could improve engagement and comprehension of the topic “Effects of Insecticides and Pesticides on the Food Chain and Human Health.” Data were collected through classroom observations, student reflections, and interviews, and were analysed thematically to recognize patterns of learning and behavioural responses. Results exposed that group-based instructional approaches improved motivation, participation, and conceptual understanding among most low-achieving students. Structured collaboration stimulated peer learning, enhanced confidence, and nurtured a sense of belonging within the classroom. However, very low-achieving and failing students sustained to face encounters with focus, communication, and anxiety during presentations, demonstrating the need for more differentiated scaffolding and continued teacher support. Behavioural enhancements such as reduced disturbances and greater task perseverance were observed, reflecting the positive effect of social and behaviourist learning values. In general, the study summarized that collaborative and interactive teaching approaches can efficiently improve both academic engagement and behavioural regulation among low-achieving students when directed by structured facilitation and inclusive instructional design. The results underline the importance of adaptable, student-centred approaches aligned with the goals of inclusive education and Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes equitable and quality education for all learners.

Applying Nudge Theory to Foster Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Qatar

This article presents the findings of a study on the combined effects of flexibility, practical curriculum, support resources and career guidance on continuing education effectiveness in Chinese vocational colleges. A quantitative methodology was used, surveying 400 vocational graduates across Jiangsu province through a recently adopted structured questionnaire. Reliability and validity analysis was performed using SPSS, while structural equation modeling was conducted with SMART-PLS. Results suggest that the applied curriculum and professional guidance are the most significant predictors of educational efficacy, followed by support services, and flexibility. These findings indicate that continuous education programmes are best when they include practice-learning elements, along with institutional backing and guidance. The research builds on the current adult and vocational education theories to propose a framework which integrates pedagogical design with systemic support frameworks. The findings highlight the importance for vocational colleges to improve curriculum coherence, guidance provision, and balance flexible with structured learning. In doing so, the study contributes to the fourth sustainable development goal (SDG4), that of quality education.

Purpose This research proposes a methodological framework to analyze the impact of blockchain technology (BT) affordances on sustainable–resilient pharmaceutical supply chain performance (SRPSCP). Design/methodology/approach This research uses a mixed-method approach. Sustainability Development Goal#3 (SDG#3) guides the SRPSCP conceptualization. Data from academic and grey literature have been collected for the conceptual framework. Primary qualitative data from 3 groups of 4 experts (totaling 12) and secondary qualitative data from web scrawling have been collected for the analytical framework. Findings Analysis reveals the positive and negative effects of blockchain affordances on cost. Specifically, the affordances of visibility and resilience are most effective in minimizing costs. Also, automation impacts SRPSCP the most, followed by visibility, resilience, aggregation and validation. And visibility emerges as the most influential affordance affecting reliability, while automation, aggregation, validation and resilience contribute to varying extents. Practical implications Managers can justify the initial expenditure on BT to stakeholders by highlighting cumulative advantages and cost reductions over time. BT enabled visibility and automation, contributing highly to maintaining high service levels. BT implementation assures the reliability of pharmaceutical products, streamlines the process of recalling products and enables quick settlement of false accusations by leveraging its improved traceability. Originality/value This work is the first to use a mix of technology affordance, network and transaction cost theory. The proposed framework can help academicians and decision-makers to explore, analyze and rationalize the impact of BT implication on PSC performance when assessed with existing non-Web 3.0 technologies.

Purpose In the contemporary business landscape, the interplay of gender, sustainability and digitalization has emerged as a critical factor influencing firm performance. This study aims to systematically integrate scientific knowledge on these dynamics through a comprehensive literature review, identifying key trends and themes that link gender diversity policies, technological innovations and firm outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The study conducted a comprehensive literature review of 211 journal articles, with 63 selected for in-depth analysis using PRISMA. Thematic clusters were identified through qualitative analysis, focusing on how gender diversity, sustainability and digitalization contribute to firm performance. Findings Five thematic clusters were identified: “Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental Management,” “Gender Diversity, Sustainable Development and Digital Platforms,” “Academic Research, Motivation and AI/Technology in Learning,” “Adoption and Behavioral Intention in Technology Use” and “Performance in Business and Agriculture with a Focus on Environmental Impact.” The findings demonstrate that integrating gender equality with sustainability initiatives and digital education enhances organizational adaptability and resilience. Gender diversity was also found to significantly foster innovation capabilities, making sustainability a strategic element that drives superior financial performance. The role of technology in bridging gender gaps and promoting equitable business practices was emphasized, showcasing its potential to empower women. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by its reliance on secondary data from journal articles, which may introduce selection bias. Future research could benefit from primary data collection to further validate these findings. Originality/value This study provides a novel integration of gender diversity, sustainability and digitalization in the context of firm performance. It highlights the synergistic effects of these factors on innovation and organizational success, advocating for gender mainstreaming and digitalization as essential strategies for sustainable management aligned with the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).

This research aimed to develop a learning process that fosters creativity and innovation through experiential learning in the music and performance traditions of the Urak Lawoi ethnic group. Adopting a qualitative approach integrated with action research, the study engaged knowledge holders and youth representatives in co-creating a learning management model centered on local music and folk performance. Participants included Urak Lawoi children and youth interested in traditional music, along with cultural practitioners. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal that creative and innovative skill development can be effectively promoted through four stages of learning management: (1) identifying knowledge transmitters and youth participants, (2) preparing musical instruments, (3) creating experiential learning activities in music and performance culture, and (4) cultivating performance experience. These steps were supported by four creativity development strategies: (1) individual knowledge acquisition, (2) raising awareness of community music culture, (3) facilitating collaborative brainstorming, and (4) co-creating artistic outputs. As a result, two youth participants acquired foundational skills in playing the Ga-Yok reed pipe and violin, forming a basis for enhanced creative thinking and a deeper understanding of Urak Lawoi musical heritage. Furthermore, this learning model aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically supporting Quality Education (SDG 4) and the preservation of cultural heritage within Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).

Advances in the green synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles for environmental remediation: A systematic review

There has recently been a pronounced global escalation in scholarly output concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the context of higher education (HE). However, the precise locus of this growth remains ambiguous, thereby hindering the systematic integration of critical AI trends into HE practices. To address this opacity, the present study adopts a rigorous and impartial analytical approach by synthesizing datasets from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus through the Biblioshiny platform. In addition, independent examinations of WoS and Scopus data were conducted using co-occurrence network analyses in VOSviewer, which revealed comparable patterns of cluster strength across both datasets. Complementing these methods, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) was employed to extract and interpret thematic structures within locally cited references, thereby providing deeper insights into the extant research discourse. Findings revealed significant acceleration patterns from 2023 concerning publication trends, annual growth patterns, cited references, top authors, leading journals, and leading countries. Patterns of strengths from co-occurrence networks in VOSviewer revealed growing interest in generative AI tools, AI ethics, and concerns about AI integration into the curriculum in HE. The LDA analysis identified two dominant themes: the pedagogical integration of generative AI tools and broader academic discourse on AI ethics that correlated with the VOSviewer findings. This enhanced the credibility, reliability, and validity of the bibliometric techniques applied in the study. Recommendations and future directions offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to address pedagogical integration of generative AI tools in HE. The development of frameworks and ethical guidelines are important to address fair and transparent adoption of AI in HE. Further, global inequalities in adoption, aligning with UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals, are crucial to ensure equitable and responsible AI integration in HE.

Because of a societal push towards sustainability a problem emerges of adapting the concept to different sectors of the economy and society. The differing complexities of different fields and social structures make it difficult to create a universal sustainability strategy. Higher education institutions (HEIs) consist of a broad range of people, working in various fields of industry, making it an appropriate cross-section of the nation. Adapting sustainability practices in these institutions would allow to screen for successful policies before implementing them more widely, detecting most effective practices, allowing a faster transition towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is hard to decide where to start, as many sustainable practices exist. This article presents the case study of VILNIUS TECH and conducts a comparison with universities in the region, determining best sustainability practices. The Greenhouse gas (GHG) protocol standard was used to form the emission inventory. The university comparison will help identify effective HEIs carbon footprint minimization practices, as well as other implemented policies as an example of where HEIs should start on their road to a more sustainable institution.

Disinfection is a critical process in water and wastewater treatment to pathogen control and achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-6). However, the formation of intermediate compounds during disinfection, known as disinfection byproducts (DBPs), poses adverse effects to human health. Trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are the major regulated halogenated DBPs formed during chlorination. In India, chlorination remains the conventional disinfection method in water and wastewater treatment systems. This study investigated the formation of THMs and HAAs in chlorinated water and wastewater samples from selected treatment facilities in Tamil Nadu, South India. Results indicated that regulated THMs (chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform) were consistently detected across all seasons, with chloroform being the predominant species (226µg/L). Trace amounts of HAAs were also detected, with elevated THM formation observed during summer. Additionally, the disinfection efficiency of alternative methods-chloramination, ozonation, UV irradiation, and sequential addition of disinfectants were evaluated. Lab-scale studies on DBP formation reveal distinct trends among different treatment methods. This study comparatively evaluated the formation of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) in water treatment plant (WTP) and sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents under different disinfectants. In WTP samples, chlorine disinfection at a 5mg/L dosage generated the highest TTHM concentration (197µg/L), followed by chloramine (171µg/L). This result was consistent in lab-scale studies with STP samples, where chlorination also resulted in the maximum TTHM formation, reaching 135.2µg/L.In contrast UV irradiation generates significantly lower THMs and HAAs levels, while ozonation results in even fewer byproducts. Notably, the combination of chloramine with UV light proved most effective, yielding the lowest TTHMs concentrations of 32.2 and 35µg/L. The lowest concentrations are observed with UV/ozone treatment with turbidity reduction. This hierarchy (chlorine (Cl2) > chloramine (NH2Cl) > UV > ozone > UV/ozone) highlights THMs and HAAs mitigation in water treatment processes. These findings highlight the necessity of adopting alternative disinfection strategies to minimize DBP-related health risks while ensuring effective microbial inactivation. The study also assessed the THMs and HAAs formation potential and bromine incorporation factor to optimize chlorine disinfectant dosage and emphasize the need for bromine removal in source water.

This tutorial serves as an accessible introduction for researchers and students interested in the multifaceted chemistry of formaldehyde and its potential in shaping a more sustainable future. We explore its roles in renewable energy storage in the form of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) and renewable fuels, as well as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and biomass valorisation. Furthermore, the relevance of these applications to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs 6, 7, 9, 12, and 13) is examined. Beyond the energy and environmental aspects, we discuss the use of formaldehyde and related surrogates in synthetic chemistry, focusing on innovative catalytic strategies to make use of this versatile and abundant C1 building block. Given formaldehyde's central role as an intermediate in both synthetic and biological C1-H2 reaction networks, the tutorial additionally offers discussion points on related small molecules, including methane, methanol, formic acid, CO, and CO2.

Water stress represents a critical global challenge demanding innovative solutions for effective water resource management. Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) leverage bacterial extracellular electron transfer for addressing issues related to water stress. These technologies exhibit a diverse range of applications, positioning them as integral to sustainable development through effective water resource management. Their versatility allows them to function as key contributors to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Through their application, METs offer promising strategies for mitigating pollution, recovering valuable resources, and enabling real-time water quality monitoring. Employing these technologies facilitates the concurrent addressing of various UNSDGs, fostering a holistic and integrated approach. METs present opportunities for decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse, thereby promoting accessibility to clean water and sanitation, particularly in marginalized communities. However, the realization of these benefits faces significant challenges, including technological scalability, optimization, and regulatory frameworks. Overcoming these obstacles is crucial for harnessing the full potential of METs to meet UNSDGs. This perspective article underscores the imperative of further research, collaboration, and policy support to propel METs towards becoming a cornerstone in the sustainable management of water resources and the achievement of UNSDGs on a global scale.

Shocks, such as disease outbreaks, extreme weather events, cyberattacks, financial crises, and wars, are occurring with greater frequency. When these shocks occur simultaneously and/or in sequence, referred to here as multiple shocks, they can generate compound impacts on agri-food systems and contribute to food and nutrition insecurity. Building sustainable agri-food systems that are resilient to multiple shocks requires an integrated understanding of the threats posed by multiple shocks to all aspects of supply chain networks. Collective action by researchers, educators, extension experts, and other stakeholders can mitigate and improve adaptation to these impacts. However, there are major knowledge gaps in examining, understanding, and synthesizing agri-food systems under multiple shocks. Previous actions have been fragmented, as efforts have largely focused only on an individual shock, in a specific place, and with separate rather than integrated efforts in research, education, and extension. Here, we present an integrated framework to address multiple shocks toward enhancing agri-food system resilience and sustainability. We illustrate how this integrated framework can be operationalized, focusing on assessing impacts, identifying mitigation strategies, providing decision support, training a future agri-food system workforce, and building communities for resilience to multiple shocks. Finally, we discuss challenges and opportunities in applying the framework for enhancing agri-food system resilience and sustainability worldwide, thus contributing to the realization of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Purpose This study aims to examine the motivations and perspectives of graduate students in arts and design disciplines in engaging with sustainability within their academic and creative practices, explore how institutional frameworks and pedagogies influence their engagement and highlight related challenges and opportunities and investigate how students envision the long-term impact of sustainability practices on their future careers and the broader field of art and design. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a qualitative research approach which involved semi-structured in-depth interviews with arts and design graduate students at a land-grant university in the USA. Participants were recruited through the university’s sustainability fellows program and sustainability events. Findings The findings revealed an evolving engagement with sustainability shaped by students’ personal backgrounds, interdisciplinary perspectives and institutional influences. Participants viewed sustainability as a holistic, interdisciplinary responsibility connected to social justice, personal experiences and professional aspirations. Despite challenges such as cost barriers, limited resources and institutional gaps, they expressed a strong commitment to advancing sustainability within their creative, academic and professional practices. Originality/value This study highlights the need for strengthening faculty development, expanding interdisciplinary coursework and providing hands-on learning opportunities to better support sustainability engagement in creative disciplines. It also emphasizes the importance of institutional reforms that embed sustainability across art and design programs, particularly through integrating the Sustainable Development Goals as a unified framework for addressing global challenges.

Aim: The study aims to investigate the balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability by examining how energy imports, CO₂ emissions, and fossil fuel consumption are influenced by various macroeconomic factors in G7 countries from 1974 to 2023. Method: The research employs panel data analysis covering the years 1974–2023 for G7 countries. The dependent variables are energy imports, carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, and fossil fuel consumption, while the independent variables include inflation, natural gas and oil rents, population growth, patent applications, foreign direct investment, market capitalization, exports, number of listed companies, and military expenditures. Results: The findings reveal a complex and multifaceted relationship between economic growth and environmental sustainability. Economic activity and energy consumption interact in ways that require careful policy attention, especially regarding carbon emissions and fossil fuel dependence. Conclusion: The study concludes that environmental policies should not be perceived as barriers to economic growth. On the contrary, when aligned with sustainable development goals, such policies can support long-term welfare. Promoting low-carbon energy sources and reducing fossil fuel dependency are highlighted as key strategies for achieving both economic and environmental objectives.

Stunting is a serious health problem in Egypt. Stunting rates and height-for-age z-score (HAZ) distributions changed notably in Egypt over time, yet the factors that led to these changes remain unknown. This study examines the factors associated with these changes and provides important considerations for designing interventions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending all forms of malnutrition by 2030. Leveraging data from Egypt's Demographic and Health Survey for the years 1995, 2003, and 2014, we employ a Recentered Influence Function (RIF) approach that goes beyond the conventional way of measuring stunting as a binary indicator to examine changes across the entire HAZ distribution. The RIF decomposes changes in the HAZ distribution over time into differences attributable to changes in the levels of the determinants of nutrition (covariate effects) and in the strength of the association between these determinants and HAZ (coefficient effects). The stylized facts show a puzzling increase in stunting rates despite improvements in the level of the determinants of nutrition. Our RIF results attribute the change in stunting rates and other parts of the HAZ distribution primarily to changes in the association between the determinants of nutrition and HAZ (coefficient effects) rather than in the level of the determinants (covariate effects). The results also show that the determinants of nutrition could have heterogeneous impacts at different quantiles of the HAZ distribution. To reduce stunting rates and achieve the SDG of ending malnutrition, our findings highlight the need for targeted interventions. Interventions should be geographically targeted, promote gender and income equality, improve maternal nutrition, and expand access to better sanitation facilities. This is in addition to wealth redistribution and reforming Egypt's subsidy program to focus on nutritious food.

Natural gas hydrates are a promising energy resource for achieving sustainable development goals; however, their effective and economical storage and transportation remain challenging. While the effects of thermodynamic conditions on gas hydrate storage efficiency have been extensively studied, the impact of 1,3-dioxolane (DIOX) concentration has rarely been explored. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation was employed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of DIOX concentration on the gas storage efficiency of DIOX-CH4 hydrate. As the DIOX concentration increased, the growth rate of DIOX-CH4 hydrate initially increased, peaked at 5.56 mol. %, and then declined. The growth rate of DIOX-CH4 hydrate was influenced by the DIOX concentration through the synergistic effects of DIOX and CH4 on the formation of different hydrate cages. The gas storage capacity (GSC) markedly decreased as the DIOX concentration increased and was predominantly controlled by the occupancy of 512 cages. This impact was further amplified by similar effects on the occupancy of 51264 cages. In addition, the influence of temperature and pressure on hydrate growth and GSC was evaluated at a DIOX concentration of 5.56 mol. %. The growth patterns, consistent with those reported in prior studies, indicated similar underlying growth mechanisms. The optimal storage efficiency was achieved at 270K and 1 MPa. These findings suggest that DIOX-CH4 hydrate is a promising solution for the storage and transportation of natural gas at a DIOX concentration of 5.56 mol. % under mild conditions, which highlights its potential for practical application.

Health Literacy Survey -2019 (HLS19) undertook a two-year extensive comparative survey in 17 European countries whose results demonstrated that while health literacy levels have risen, there is vast room for improvement. 36% of the Bulgarian population has poor or unsatisfactory level of health literacy (very difficult/ difficult range answers). This means that more than a 1/3 of Bulgarian citizens are facing hurdles when presented with health or healthcare related issues to deal with which inexorably affects their quality of life and potential. To society this means that there is a measurable inequality between those with high and low health literacy that is evidenced by social gradient. Thus, low health literacy has direct effect on perpetuating health inequalities which in turn affects social justice and attainment of human development and flourishing. HL is closely associated with social determinants of health and poor health/ outcomes due to low literacy is as an injustice that needs to be addressed systematically from broad policy perspective. It is an injustice as studies demonstrate that HL is a modifiable factor that has a direct positive effect on improving well-being, reducing absenteeism, and triggering economic and social progress. The purpose of the project is to analyze available literature, draft and test questionnaires, analyze results in order to gain better understanding of the health literacy needs of Bulgarian population and to better inform public health policies and implement targeted evidence based interventions. Improved health literacy will lead to more effective and efficient healthcare utilization contributing to better patient outcome and optimal use of health and medical resources. In fact, the WHO Shanghai Declaration (2016) declared health literacy a critical determinant of health and established the direct link between adequate health literacy and achievement of Sustainable development goals.

Advertising is increasingly recognized as a cultural practice that extends beyond persuasion to reflect collective values, identity, and social belonging (Hall, 1973; Arnould & Thompson, 2005). This study investigates the effectiveness of cultural advertising in Lebanon, focusing on Almaza’s social media campaigns during 2022–2023. By analyzing engagement data (likes, comments, shares), the research shows that ads embedding cultural symbols generate significantly higher interaction than non-cultural campaigns. Guided by encoding/decoding theory, consumer culture theory, and reception theory, the findings underscore how cultural resonance strengthens audience engagement and brand identity. The originality of this study lies in situating Lebanon—a context marked by collectivism and resilience—within global advertising scholarship. Its implications align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), by demonstrating how culturally rooted marketing can foster sustainable business practices and community cohesion.