Examining the relationship between SDG principles and university student behaviour: identifying the most influential dimension

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a universal framework for advancing a more sustainable future through five guiding principles: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. University students play a vital role in translating these principles into behavioural practices that support sustainability within academic and societal contexts. This study examines the relationship between the SDG principles and students’ behaviour, and further identifies the most influential principle shaping their sustainable practices. A quantitative approach was employed, with data collected through questionnaires administered to 341 undergraduate respondents using convenience sampling. Correlation analysis revealed that all five principles demonstrated a significant and positive relationship with students’ behaviour, with partnership (r = 0.688) and peace (r = 0.686) showing the strongest associations. Regression analysis further indicated that peace (β = 0.317, p = 0.000) was the most influential principle in predicting students’ behavioural practices. This highlights the pivotal role of peace in fostering cooperation, conflict resolution, and social responsibility among students. The findings underscore the importance of embedding SDG values into higher education to promote behavioural change, while also emphasising the need for collaboration among governments, NGOs, and educational institutions to strengthen SDG oriented initiatives. Practically, these results provide valuable guidance for universities in prioritising peace-focused educational programs, student engagement activities, and curriculum design to encourage sustainable behaviours. By identifying the most impactful principle, this study contributes new insights into strategies that align higher education with the broader global sustainability agenda.