Transforming Engineering Education through Student-Led Collaboration: The ISES Model for Quality Education in Sudan

Purpose: To present the Integration of the Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST) Engineering Societies (ISES) as a student-led model for enhancing quality education in Sudan through interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-focused activities. The paper explores how ISES empowered students to become active community contributors, bridging academic learning with national development priorities. Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper uses a descriptive case study approach, drawing on the development and implementation of ISES from 2020 to 2022 at the SUST. The case study draws on diverse student-led activities and applies Communities of Practice principles to explore their impact on learning and engagement. Findings: ISES significantly improved students’ awareness of the SDGs, fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, and developed leadership skills among participants. It also created a sense of belonging and professional identity, preparing students for post-graduation success and national rebuilding. Students reported transformative learning experiences and increased civic engagement. Value: The paper highlights how youth-led, collaborative models such as ISES can advance educational reform and community resilience in conflict-affected settings. Research Limitations/Implications: The paper focuses on a single institution and may require broader validation across multiple universities in Sudan. Future studies should explore the scalability of this model in diverse educational contexts. Practical Implications: ISES offers a scalable framework for integrating quality education with national rebuilding efforts, emphasising student leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community impact. Keywords: Quality Education; Student-Led Initiatives; Interdisciplinary Collaboration; Sustainable Development Goals; Engineering Education; Sudan; Higher Education Reform; Communities of Practice. Citation: Musa, T. (2025): Transforming Engineering Education through Student-Led Collaboration: The ISES Model for Quality Education in Sudan. International Journal of Innovation and Knowledge Management in Middle East and North Africa (IJIKMMENA), Vol. 10, No. 1/2, pp. 93-110.