The paper aims to identify the strongest links between the impact of regional economic growth and universities according to the UN Sustainable Development Agenda. The study analyzes the basic normative documents related to sustainable development, the goals and main objectives of sustainable development in the context of the development potential of universities, the state of innovation development of regions (including the Republic of Bashkortostan), as well as sustainable development programs and the results of their implementation in the leading universities of the world and Russia. In addition to general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, the authors use a comparative method, the method of identifying cause-effect relationships, and systemic, process, and dynamic approaches. The study allowed the authors to obtain several definite conclusions and practical recommendations on the need to build the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the development of universities. The main research proposals are related to the synchronization of the university strategy in terms of research, education, personnel, youth, campus, information, and other policies with the objectives of sustainable development as the main element of strengthening the position of the university and the economic growth of the region where the university is located. The study provides basic recommendations for incorporating sustainability policy into the strategic map of university development directions. [For the complete volume, "Digital Education in Russia and Central Asia. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects. Volume 65," see ED675848.]