The IAU is excited to announce that our Member the Maldives National University (MNU) has received the annual IAU Responsible Futures International Fee Waiver to participate in the RFI 2026/27 cohort.
RF International is a programme designed to help universities integrate sustainability across every aspect of their institution, with students playing a central role in driving this transformation. Originally developed by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS UK) and launched internationally in collaboration with the IAU in 2023, it provides higher education institutions with a structured approach to embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and supporting progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through institution-wide engagement.
The Maldives National University is the national university of the Maldives and the country's leading higher education institution. As a university in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), MNU recognises its responsibility to contribute to sustainable national development through education, research, innovation, and community engagement. Responsible Futures aligns strongly with MNU's institutional vision and sustainability agenda. The programme will further strengthen the University's whole-institution approach to sustainability by empowering students and staff to work collaboratively to embed sustainability in learning, teaching, and the wider university experience.
MNU's participation in the RFI Programme reflects its strong institutional commitment to advancing sustainability through education, research, and community engagement. Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. MNU has embedded sustainability as a strategic institutional priority through its Strategic Plan 2026–2030, Sustainability Policy, and Sustainability Action Plan. These frameworks guide the integration of sustainability across teaching and learning, research, governance, campus operations, community engagement, and partnerships, while supporting the achievement of the UN SDGs. Participation in the Responsible Futures Programme will strengthen these existing initiatives by enhancing student–staff partnerships, embedding ESD more systematically across the curriculum, and supporting continuous institutional improvement in sustainability.
Participation in RF International will provide the Maldives National University with a practical framework for embedding sustainability more effectively throughout the institution. The programme supports the integration of sustainability into teaching and learning, encourages meaningful student leadership and participation, and helps align academic practices with internationally recognised sustainability principles. As part of the initiative, a joint staff and student coordination team will take part in regular cohort meetings alongside universities from more than 12 countries across the world, creating opportunities to exchange experiences and learn from peers. By fostering cross-faculty collaboration, institutional self-assessment, and international knowledge sharing, RF International enables universities to turn their sustainability ambitions into tangible, measurable outcomes.
The Responsible Futures programme is open to HEIs to join all year round, with different participation fee categories. IAU is awarding a fee waiver on an annual basis through a competitive process open to IAU members. Reach out to us if you are interested in learning how your institution could join the programme!