The Lens
Why Games Like SDG Metropolis Matter
Traditional education methods often struggle to make sustainability issues feel understandable and fun, which is why there is a critical need for innovation in teaching.
By Krusha Khakhar, QS ImpACT
Designed as an educational tool, SDG Metropolis can engage students, policymakers, and sustainability advocates to understand how to map the SDGs to their local community.
In a world where urbanisation is rapidly shaping our future, a student team from Iqra University in Pakistan has found an innovative way to educate and inspire action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their game, SDG Metropolis, won the QS ImpACT Skills Challenge Award 2024 for its unique approach to teaching sustainability through interactive gameplay.
A game with a mission
The pilot edition of the QS ImpACT Skills Challenge provided youth teams with expert education and training to refine their game concepts. Through guidance from game designers, sustainability experts and educators, they strengthened their storytelling, game mechanics and engagement strategies.
SDG Metropolis is a quiz-based city-building simulation designed by a team from Iqra University, using Unity and Visual Studio. Developed under the mentorship of Dr Mansoor Ebrahim, the team - Hammad Malik (game developer), Rabia Makani and Danyal Ahmed (storyline creators), and Ahmed Umer (graphic designer) - created a digital game where players step into the shoes of a mayor, making crucial decisions to build a thriving, sustainable city. Each choice of the game player ties back to real-world sustainability challenges and the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By balancing climate action, social equality, clean energy and responsible consumption, players learn first-hand how urban planning impacts both local communities and the planet.
Shaping Sustainable Mindsets
The game emerged as an educational tool designed for a broad audience. SDG Metropolis can engage students, policymakers and sustainability advocates to understand how to map the SDGs to their local community. It has been tested in university seminars, with 85 percent of participants completing the game scenarios and 90 percent reporting a better understanding of the SDGs. Schools can also use it to encourage critical thinking, while local councils and organisations can integrate it into sustainability programmes.
“This game, SDG Metropolis, is designed to show how small local decisions have far-reaching global consequences," explains Dr Ebrahim.
Why games Like SDG Metropolis matter
Interactive tools like the SDG Metropolis game offer a fresh way to bridge the gap between awareness and action on the Sustainable Development Goals. Traditional education methods often struggle to make sustainability issues feel easy-to-understand, but immersive learning and gaming experiences can shift mindsets and inspire real-world solutions.
The success of SDG Metropolis highlights how game-based learning can be a powerful tool for sustainability education. Through initiatives like these, young innovators are shaping a future where informed decision-making leads to smarter, more sustainable cities..
Your turn to make an ImpACT
The QS ImpACT Skills Challenge is back for 2025, inviting students and young innovators to develop creative digital games for real-world sustainability challenges. Winning teams receive up to £750 in prize money to bring their ideas to life and gain international recognition for their work.
Participants also get exclusive training from expert educators at top universities like Arizona State University and the University of Exeter, alongside industry leaders from J.P. Morgan, Unity Technologies, Minecraft, Netcore, and more.
If you're ready to turn your vision into impact, apply now and be part of the next generation of changemakers!
If you're inspired by the incredible innovations from the QS ImpACT Skills Challenge and want to support young changemakers in scaling their sustainability projects, reach out to QS ImpACT at partnerships@qsimpact.org
QS ImpACT is a UNEP accredited global charity registered in the UK and Whales. Our global community of young leaders grow and earn recognition for their positive impact on society. We connect universities, organizations and communities worldwide to develop young talent to lead through impact for a regenerative future. We recognize young people with Certificates, Badges, Scholarships and Awards. Last year, we impact over 112,000 people across 87 countries with over 2,100 community members and 50 Youth Ambassadors.
The culmination of the 2023 calendar year at QS ImpACT was marked by the prestigious QS ImpACT Awards, serving as our organization's flagship event. The overarching theme and mission of the awards were centred around the celebration of global regeneration.
It featured influential speeches and engaging discussions, showcasing the participation of distinguished leaders from the United Nations, Forbes 30 Under 30, and renowned global universities. A remarkable lineup of over 15 speakers and 16 judges contributed to the event's success, adding depth and value to the mission. The primary objective of the awards was to acknowledge and honour exceptional youth leaders spanning the globe, recognizing their remarkable contributions to community regeneration and transformation. After a rigorous evaluation, 45 finalists emerged from 18 different countries, with 8 emerging as winners.
Critical to the success of the event were the collaborative efforts with 15 impact partners, who played a pivotal role in supporting and enriching the journey towards creating a truly impactful and successful awards ceremony. The QS ImpACT Awards not only celebrated individual achievements but also fostered a collective spirit of regeneration.