The theme, Role of Higher Education in Forging Sustainable Livelihoods, was selected because of its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference plenary sessions were organised according to priority areas: Private sector and SDGs implementation, graduate employability and impact on sustainable development, gender equity and empowerment of women for sustainable livelihoods, healthier population and labour productivity in competitive global market, poverty eradication agenda in higher education, revitalising global partnership for sustainable development and sustainable livelihoods in urban and rural economy and natural resources.