Purpose: Sustainable development has emerged as a global imperative, with higher education institutions (HEIs) widely recognised as significant contributors to the advancement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of contemporary scholarship to examine the integration of sustainability in the teaching, research, and community engagement of higher education institutions, identifying significant trends, problems, and opportunities. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA framework, utilising the Scopus and ScienceDirect databases. Search strings aimed at articles regarding higher education and sustainable development community projects from 2023 to 2025. Following screening, eligibility determination, and quality evaluation, 37 peer-reviewed publications were incorporated. An integrative theme analysis was conducted to consolidate information from various research methodologies. Findings: The analysis of selected literature resulted in the development of three overarching themes: (1) Integrating Sustainability into Higher Education Curriculum and Pedagogy (2) Community Engagement and Regional Development for Sustainability and (3) Institutional Approaches, Governance, and Campus-Based Sustainability Practices. The review finds that advancements enduring issues encompass sustainable development projects are inconsistent due to, curriculum implementation, faculty workload, and disjointed collaborations. Research limitations/implications: This review was confined to peer-reviewed journal articles in English, omitting other sources such as reports or conference proceedings. Practical implications: Findings offer direction for higher education institutions, governments, and educators to formulate comprehensive plans that incorporate sustainability into courses, enhance community collaborations, and establish governance frameworks that promote enduring impact. Originality/value: The paper presents one of the initial systematic studies concentrating on higher education institution-led community initiatives for sustainable development over the 2023–2025 timeframe. It offers a thorough framework connecting teaching, engagement, and governance, along with practical proposals for promoting the SDGs via higher education.
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