On 29 March 2023, UNU-IAS organised a symposium on the topic “Transformation of Behavior at Universities through Efforts to Achieve the SDGs” as part of the institute’s UNU SDG–Universities Platform (SDG–UP). The hybrid event engaged participants in discussions by four working groups on Management, SDGs Curriculum, University Collaboration, and University Evaluation and Accountability.
In opening remarks, Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi (Director, UNU-IAS) highlighted the role of universities in creating global human resources as various developments in international relations affect the achievement of the SDGs. She expressed her hope that the symposium would encourage behavioral change among stakeholders in higher education.
Koji Kitayama (Director for International Affairs Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)) explained that MEXT and UNU-IAS were working together toward the achievement of the SDGs through research and human resource development.
Session 1: Toward University Management that Contributes to the Realization of the SDGs
Working Group on Management
Case reports were presented on various university initiatives and on the creation of systems to support these initiatives, and experiences were shared with the aim of further improving university management.
Session 2: University Cooperation Certificate Programme “Introduction to the UN SDGs”
Working Group on SDGs Curriculum
The group reported on the implementation of the certificate programme “Introduction to the UN SDGs” developed in collaboration with SDG-UP participating universities.
Session 3: The Significance and Challenges of THE Impact Ranking in University Evaluation
Working Group on University Evaluation and Accountability
The group introduced its discussions on the effective use of university evaluations, such as the Times Higher Education (THE), to promote behavioral change within and outside of universities and to resolve issues for future practice.
Session 4: Achieving the SDGs through University Collaboration
Working Group on University Collaboration
The group decided that in order to expand and develop inter-university cooperation, it was necessary to share basic issues and learn from each other. They shared the results of a survey conducted among the SDG-UP participating universities.
In closing, Shunichi Murata (SDG–UP Advisor; Professor, Kwansei Gakuin University) stressed that universities must take seriously their responsibility to send students out into society with a firm grasp of the essence of the SDGs, consider the socially vulnerable, and play their role in fostering well-balanced human resources.
A detailed report on the event is available in Japanese.
