This study examines the role and contribution of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a transformative framework in higher education (HE), focusing on the University of Split (UOS), Croatia. By applying a qualitative longitudinal methodology, it examines how UOS has engaged with the SDG agenda while overcoming the challenges of institutional disintegration, resource scarcity, and cultural change. Data from strategy documents, action plans, and interviews with university leaders reveal a significant evolution in UOS’s strategic alignment with the SDGs, from initial compliance to a more integrated and systemic approach. This study applies Steele and Rickards’ framework of institutional engagement and innovation culture and positions the UOS journey as a pathway to a transformative scenario. The findings highlight key drivers such as strategic planning and policymaking, as well as barriers such as fragmented governance and cultural resistance that shape the UOS journey. This research contributes to the understanding of SDG implementation at universities in former transition countries and provides insights into the use of the SDG framework to drive systemic change in higher education.

We offer practical, case-based experiences on sustainability reporting in higher education institutions (HEIs), with a focus on the integration of sustainability activities into strategic planning and quality management. A proposed approach is based on the experience of the University of Split, Croatia, and the lessons learned from the SEA-EU University Alliance. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our model emphasizes the active engagement of stakeholders and the continuous collection and review of sustainability data. In addition, we propose to automate the collection and dissemination of sustainability research findings through the implementation of a Current Research Information System (CRIS). Our case study provides a roadmap for improving sustainability performance and reporting. The experience of the University of Split (Croatia) could be helpful and generalizable to a number of universities with an intermediate level of maturity in sustainability management and reporting, trying to improve their university rankings.

Background and Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder marked by cholinergic deficits, oxidative stress, amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation, and tau hyperphosphorylation. Caffeic acid (CA), a naturally occurring hydroxycinnamic acid, has emerged as a promising neuroprotective candidate due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme-inhibitory properties. This review systematically evaluates recent in vitro and in vivo evidence regarding the therapeutic potential of CA in AD models and examines the impact of delivery systems and derivatives on its efficacy and bioavailability. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies published between January 2021 and April 2025 were included in this review. Eligible studies investigated the effects of CA or CA-enriched extracts on AD-relevant mechanisms using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico models. After screening 101 articles, 44 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final qualitative synthesis of the study. Results: In vitro studies have confirmed that CA modulates cholinergic activity by inhibiting AChE and BChE and exerting antioxidant and anti-amyloidogenic effects. In vivo studies using pharmacological, genetic, and metabolic AD models have demonstrated improvements in cognitive function, reduction in oxidative stress, inflammation, and Aβ and tau pathologies following CA administration. Advanced delivery platforms, such as solid lipid nanoparticles, transferrin-functionalized liposomes, and carbon dot systems, have significantly enhanced CA’s brain bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. CA derivatives, including caffeic acid phenethyl ester and nitro-substituted analogs, exhibit improved pharmacokinetic and neuroprotective profiles. Conclusions: This review provides evidence supporting the use of CA as a promising multitarget agent against AD pathology. Its therapeutic potential is further enhanced by nanotechnology-based delivery systems and chemical modifications that overcome the limitations of bioavailability. Continued preclinical evaluation and translational studies are warranted to support its clinical development as an AD intervention.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been one of the benchmarks for academic research. This study addresses global SDG-related challenges through top research in physical sciences (PS) at the University of Split (UNIST). UNIST was selected as a case study of a small and relatively new EU university, with moderate funding and research capacity. A bibliometric approach was applied, and articles related to SDGs were presented (with 1 to 50 authors) in the top 5% Q1 journals within the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) for Physical Sciences. Sixty-three of the eighty-three articles are related to SDGs (subcategories: Astronomy & Astrophysics, Chemistry, Geoscience, Multidisciplinary, Mathematics, Meteorology & Atmospheric Science, Multidisciplinary Sciences, Oceanography, Physics, Thermodynamics, and Water Resources). The study presents the following: (a) UNIST articles in the top 5% Q1 journals and corresponding SDGs up to 2022; (b) their citations; (c) their contribution to SDG achievement; (d) drivers of top performance in PS; (e) comparison with other universities in Mediterranean Croatia; (f) policy recommendations. The SDG-related research output in PS at UNIST has expanded through interdisciplinary approaches and international collaborations addressing complex global challenges. The highest citation impacts were found for SDG13 (191.88), SDG14 (167.4), and SDG6 (145.56). Although 26 articles were related to SDG3, their citation impact was lower (not targeting core biomedical research). For 10 articles related to SDG14, the citation impact was very high (167.4). The drivers of the top 5% performance of UNIST in PS are identified and policy recommendations as well as lessons learned are mentioned to improve the participation of small universities in EU or national research programs and foster international cooperation across the European Research Area (ERA) to address the SDGs.