Application Due: Aug 21, 2025
Info Session: Aug 19, 6-8 PM, at LIB 2001 (Together with the previous projects sharing.)
About Future 17:
Future 17 is a new global initiative offered by the University of Exeter and Quacquarelli Symonds Limited (QS) in the UK, with participation from leading international universities. It is designed to support students in developing skills needed for tackling 21st-century global challenges through working with industry and academic mentors as well as peers from around the world to create innovative solutions for real-world issues associated with one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students form international, interdisciplinary, and multicultural teams with their peers from a consortium of universities to work on projects defined by SDGs Challenge Partners (businesses, charities, governments, NGOs, etc.).
If you are interested in participating in this Future 17 SDGs challenge to solve real-life challenges guided by mentors and collaborate with students from world-leading universities, please apply via: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKQB9pOQQhdYfHg before Aug 21, 11:59 PM. Both your profile photo, resume, and a 200-word cover letter will be required for the application. To learn better about Future 17, there will be an info session for you to explore more details happening on Aug 19, 6-8 PM (LIB 2001).
For more details, please also refer to the handbook.
Contact:
Program Academic Lead: Liqi REN, lr186@duke.edu
Program Coordinator Contact: Harper CHEN, zc178@duke.edu (General Inquiries)
Practical Engagement:
Engage in SDG-related projects in different countries, collaborating with SDGs Challenge Partners (businesses, charities, governments, NGOs, etc.) to practice and advance the achievement of the SDGs.
International Collaboration:
Join the interdisciplinary and multicultural teams with peers from around the world, working together to solve real-world issues related to the 17 SDGs goals and building lasting international friendships and professional connections that will benefit their future careers.
Diverse Mentorship:
Receive guidance from international mentors across leading industries and academic fields, providing them with professional insights and support throughout the project.
Skill Enhancement:
Develop the skills that are needed to tackle major and urgent global challenges, including innovative thinking, cross-cultural communication, teamwork, and problem-solving capabilities.
If interested, please apply by Aug 21, 11:59 PM via the link https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKQB9pOQQhdYfHg.
Please note that you will be required to submit your resume, a 200-word motivation letter, as well as a profile photo for the application. The selected candidate will be invited for an interview from Sept 3-7.
The Future 17 program is comprised of 3 parts: the online Induction, online Group Collaboration, and the Future 17 Solution Showcase. The online induction part will introduce SDGs and skills for tackling sustainability challenges to all Future 17 participants. Students will then form groups in the Group Collaboration part with peers from partner universities. Once the group is allocated, each student team will be given the challenge of designing ways to research sustainability problems and identifying approaches for delivering appropriate solutions under supervision, refining your skills in design thinking, knowledge of sustainable development goals, and hands-on experience in problem-solving.
- Online program induction on SDGs and skills for tackling sustainability challenges;
- Online group collaboration with global students and mentors (academic and industry mentors);
- Future17 Solutions Showcase event.
The structure for the induction part:
The structure for the online group collaboration part:
The structure for the Future17 Solutions Showcase event includes 2 parts: Pitch Presentation (50% of the mark) and Written Piece (50% of the mark).
For more details, please also refer to the handbook.