Abstract

In recent years, the accelerating trend of digital transformation has compelled Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to redefine their role and contribution to individual learners’ lives. This study builds on our previous work undertaken on Widening Participation (WP) and international students under current education 4.0 paradigms and ongoing digital transformation. We propose a practical framework to make the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) more targeted and actionable for effective accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability within the UK Higher Education sector. Critical inquiries have established a clear aim for HEIs to meet these indicators, although obstacles were identified within the subsequent gap analysis of the “2015 UN SDG Agenda” in their execution. Our chapter focuses primarily on the strategic alignment of SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) with institutional practices and graduate employability pathways. Furthermore, the discourse responds to criticisms that SDG implementation has been too broad or perceived as a “box-ticking” exercise, rather than a thoughtfully designed initiative that delivers measurable outcomes. The SDG Prism Framework essentially transforms the broad ambitions of SDGs through the process of “refraction” for realistic implementation. These processes generate targeted outputs through leveraging quantitative tools to provide significant value for educators, policymakers, and senior institutional leaders. Its design imperative adopts a decolonial perspective, exploring what truly constitutes inclusivity while avoiding the reduction of SDG efforts to ambiguous goals.