scholarly journals Universities’ Reporting on SDGs: Using THE Impact Rankings to Model and Measure Their Contribution to Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2038
Author(s):  
Elena De la Poza ◽  
Paloma Merello ◽  
Antonio Barberá ◽  
Alberto Celani
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Social Sciences And Humanities ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
The Times ◽  
The Impact

Higher education institutions (HEIs) have voiced growing concerns about sustainability issues since Agenda 2030 was approved, but this is not enough for societal stakeholders seeking and delivering innovation and excellence. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action, and pose a challenge for HEIs as for the efforts made to fulfill them and knowing how to assess their performance. However, the metric management system implemented by HEIs quickly led to rankings emerging, which compare HEIs to metrics not related to the sustainability dimensions of the 17 SDGs. The main aim of the paper is to assess the level of reporting and alignment of SDG achievements with the overall the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking score. For this purpose, our study (i) models and quantifies the impact of HEIs’ disclosure of SDG information on HEIs’ overall THE Impact Rankings score, (ii) analyzes whether the best ranked universities are indeed significantly related to different SDGs than other not-so-well-ranked ones, and (iii) models the differences in the overall score and its alignment with distinct SDGs by dimensions, subjects, and geographical regions. In order to do so, a descriptive analysis, non-parametric tests, and linear and logistic regression analyses were performed. Our results reveal that the overall ranking is related to the reporting of HEIs’ SDG achievements. Moreover, the more positive actions related to health, education, industry, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and partnerships there were, the higher the position of HEIs in the general ranking was. However, we found differences between top-ranking universities and others in geographical location, disclosed information, and impact. Thus, the best-ranked universities are more committed to transferring knowledge to industry to satisfy its needs (SDG9), support strong institutions in their countries, and promote peace and justice (SDG16). Finally, SDG9 and SDG17 are the most relevant and constant SDGs when modeling the alignment of SDGs with HEIs’ dimensions (teaching, research, citations, industry income, international outlook) and subjects (technological and social sciences and humanities). HEIs integrating SDG actions into the strategic management of universities and, consequently, reporting their SDG performance to promote sustainability and contribute to sustainable development, is advisable.

scholarly journals Semi-Systematic Literature Review on Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Higher Education Institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7683
Author(s):  
Amila Omazic ◽  
Bernd Markus Zunk
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Development Goals

Public sector organizations, primarily higher education institutions (HEIs), are facing greater levels of responsibility since adopting and committing to the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development (SD) and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). HEIs are expected to provide guidance for various stakeholders on this matter, but also to implement this agenda and the SDGs in their institutions. Although the role of these organizations has been recognized, the fields and issues that HEIs should address on their path towards sustainability and SD are still unclear. To provide further clarity, a semi-systematic literature review on sustainability and SD in HEIs was conducted to identify both the key concepts and main research themes that represent sustainability and SD in HEIs and to identify research gaps. This review increases our knowledge of this topic and enhances our understanding of sustainability and SD in the context of HEIs.

scholarly journals A Holistic Approach to Integrate and Evaluate Sustainable Development in Higher Education. The Case Study of the University of the Basque Country

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 392
Author(s):  
Estibaliz Sáez de Cámara ◽  
Idoia Fernández ◽  
Nekane Castillo-Eguskitza
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
The University

Since the United Nations (UN) approved the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development in 2015, higher education institutions have increasingly demonstrated their commitment by supporting several initiatives. Although a great deal of progress has been made, there is still a lack of integrative approaches to truly implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in higher education. This paper presents a practical case that illustrates how to design and articulate SDGs within an institutional setting adopting a holistic approach: EHUagenda 2030 plan of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). It is based on empirical inquiry into global and holistic sustainable transformation and a real experience to move towards a verifiable and pragmatic contribution to sustainability. This plan describes the contribution to 12 of the 17 SDGs, along with three sectorial plans (Equality Campus, Inclusion Campus and Planet Campus), as well as the refocus of the UPV/EHU’s Educational Model and the panel of sustainable development indicators, which addresses the technical aspects of monitoring the SDGs. The methodology (mapping; mainstreaming; diagnosis and definition and, finally, estimation) is systematic and replicable in other universities yet to embark upon this integration. This case study makes a contribution towards the understanding of the complexity of the changes in Higher Education and the ways to approach it.

scholarly journals Maternal mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuang Wei ◽  
Ming-Yue Gao ◽  
Mary Fewtrell ◽  
Jonathan Wells ◽  
Jin-Yue Yu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Fair Division ◽  
Personal Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Beijing China

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on breastfeeding women and to identify predictors of maternal mental health and coping. Methods Mothers aged ≥ 18 years with a breast-fed infant ≤ 18 months of age during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China, completed a questionnaire. Descriptive analysis of lockdown consequences was performed and predictors of these outcomes were examined using stepwise linear regression. Results Of 2233 participants, 29.9%, 20.0% and 34.7% felt down, lonely, and worried, respectively, during the lockdown; however, 85.3% felt able to cope. Poorer maternal mental health was predicted by maternal (younger age, higher education) and infant (older age, lower gestation) characteristics, and social circumstances (husband unemployed or working from home, receiving advice from family, having enough space for the baby, living close to a park or green space). Conversely, better maternal mental health was predicted by higher income, employment requiring higher qualifications, more personal space at home, shopping or walking > once/week and lack of impact of COVID-19 on job or income. Mothers with higher education, more bedrooms, fair division of household chores and attending an online mother and baby group > once/week reported better coping. Conclusion The findings highlight maternal characteristics and circumstances that predict poorer mental health and reduced coping which could be used to target interventions in any future public health emergencies requiring social restrictions.

The Role of Financing Higher Education in Nigerian Universities in Achieving Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-578
Author(s):  
Samir Mohamad Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Private University ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Higher Education Financing ◽  
The University ◽  
Financing Higher Education ◽  
The Impact

The current study aims to identify the role of financing higher education in Nigerian universities in the state of Kano and its impact on sustainable development. The study problem lies in the low funding of higher education in Nigerian universities, which will negatively affect the sustainability of higher education and sustainable development. The importance of the study is highlighted by highlighting the importance of financing higher education in Nigerian universities and the sources of obtaining this funding as one of the most important factors through which students can complete their studies. The study followed the qualitative approach with the aim of obtaining more accurate information about traditional higher education financing sources and its impact on the sustainability of education and achieving sustainable development. The study population reached the number of three Nigerian universities, which are a governmental, federal and private university, to learn about the impact of financing higher education in Nigerian universities on sustainable development. The sample of the study was about three out of five of those responsible for financing higher education in Nigerian universities. Also, the study followed unstructured or open interviews in order to obtain more information about financing higher education and whether or not it is suitable for the idea of a monetary endowment. The results of the study showed that the sources of financing for higher education in traditional Nigerian universities are varied, including what can be obtained through the endowment and donations fund that can be made through community initiatives, and the results of the study also indicated that the idea of a monetary endowment faces great challenges in its application, so the idea is subject to acceptance and rejection. According to the nature of the university and the nature of the subjects taught. The study recommended the necessity of expanding the study of the impact of financing higher education in Nigerian universities by expanding the scope of study to include all Nigerian states.

scholarly journals Sustainable development of the universities in the 21st century

2021 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 04010
Author(s):  
Vyacheslav Ilgov ◽  
Zhanna Gardanova ◽  
Natalya Nikitina
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
High Penetration ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Global Environmental Changes

Our paper aims at assessing the sustainable development of the universities in the 21st century that is market by globalization, high penetration of information and communication technologies as well as global environmental changes. The paper stresses that the higher education is undergoing profound changes in its role and its position in the society and should focus its attention to the environmental challenges and the fight again the global warming. Higher education is ripe for reforms that are not intended to disrupt its main goals and its very essence but that might help it to modernize its approaches to achieving the up-to-date objectives that would maximize its contribution to the development of the society. Therefore, it appears that governments and the civil society alike should put more effort into embedding the sustainable development principles as well as sustainable development goals (SDG) into the educational curricular of the universities regardless to their geographical location.

University students involved in a sustainable world: assessing sustainable consumption in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Margaça ◽  
Brizeida Hernández Sánchez ◽  
José Carlos Sánchez-García
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Original Proposal ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Responsible Consumption ◽  
The Impact

Purpose To achieve sustainable development to protect the environment and society, an increasing number of scholars have conducted in-depth research on sustainable and responsible consumption behaviors. The outputs demonstrate that consumers are increasingly concerned and aware of the issues associated with the excessive use of resources. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the validity and reliability of the Sustainable Consumption Scale (SC-S) in the Spanish context. Design/methodology/approach The adaptation of SC-S to Spanish was carried out in accordance with international methodological standards. The Spanish version of this scale was applied empirically to the research sample was composed of 962 university students (49.1% male and 50.9% female) from 54 Universities in 15 regions of Spain that participated in the study. Findings The analyses carried out to verify the psychometric properties retained 16 items from the original proposal, grouped equally in three factors: Cognitive – six items; Affective – seven items; and Conative – four items. The scale presented adequate adjustment indexes, as well as optimal values of the different measures of reliability, recommended by the literature. Originality/value This instrument can be used by the Spanish academic community, which will contribute to the assessment and prediction regarding a sustainable consumption attitude. From these screenings, it will be also possible to understand the impact and development of the objectives outlined by Agenda 2030.

scholarly journals DIGITAL REORIENTATION OF ISLAMIC HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDONESIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
Kastolani Kastolani
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Islamic Education ◽  
Islamic Studies ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Times ◽  
And Function ◽  
Role And Function

The digital era and rapid technological developments require responses from various institutions to be able to survive and be able to use it well. Islamic education also needs to respond to this. Therefore, the reorientation of Islamic education in the digital era is important to discuss. This article aims to discuss various thoughts related to the reorientation of Islamic education in the digital era. The discussion is focused on approaches, models, and methods in Islamic studies at Islamic higher education using descriptive analysis. This article recommends the reorientation of Islamic education in the digital era can be done through three things, namely first, with a historical approach, second, by avoiding pseudo-diversification models, and third, by using Blended e-learning methods. Thus the Islamic Higher Education institutions can carry out its role and function in education that is sensitive to the times and at the same time the manifestation of Islam as rahmatanlil 'alamin in the digital era. Keywords: Blended E-Learning, Digital Era, and Technology.

scholarly journals Use of Electronic Resources Before and During the Pandemic in the Universitas Indonesia Library

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-227
Author(s):  
Aswinna Aswinna ◽  
Rahmi Rahmi
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Online Database ◽  
Electronic Resources ◽  
Social Sciences And Humanities ◽  
Almost All

Background of the study: COVID-19 impacts library activities. However, previous studies have not analysed the use of electronic resources (online database) before and during the pandemic, especially concerning higher education libraries in Indonesia. Purpose: This study investigated electronic collections before (2019) and during the pandemic (2020) in the Universitas Indonesia Library. Method: This study used a quantitative approach with descriptive analysis. Using online database usage logs from 2019 to 2020. Findings: The study divided its online database comparisons into several clusters, including multi-disciplinary, health, science and technology, and social science and humanities. The findings show that the use of almost all electronic collections declined in 2020, especially the use of e-books and protocol collections. When grouped according to knowledge clumps, however, the use of electronic collections increase in 1) health and 2) social sciences and humanities. Use declined in 1) multi-disciplinary and 2) science and technology clusters. Conclusion: This study recommends further research.

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