In response to the urgent call to realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by 2030, the University of the Immaculate Conception has developed a comprehensive sustainability framework.
This framework, prepared by the university’s Vice President for Planning and Quality Management, Dr. Jo-Ann Y. Solomon, is aligned with the university’s strategic direction for the next five years. It specifically supports Goal No. 1, which aims to “Be Globally Recognized as an Institution That Develops Health and Spiritual Well-being to Advocate Fraternity, Peace, Justice, and Sustainable Development.”
The recent Impact Rankings by Times Higher Education, where UIC was assessed based on its integration and application of the UN SDGs, revealed the university’s various initiatives in relation to the UN SDG. These include JEEPGY, the Global Compact on Education, Laudato Si, RVM Pedagogy, Social Responsibility, Service Learning, GAD, Drug-Free Workplace, and the UIC Kaduyog Sagop Kinabuhi Program.
Dr. Solomon envisions the framework influencing the culture and behavior of students, faculty, and staff in a transformative way. She states:
“Embracing sustainability at the university goes beyond responding to the United Nations’ call. It’s about empowering students and personnel to actively contribute to solving pressing global challenges. The framework provides the UIC community with a roadmap to incorporate sustainable practices into daily operations, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship that extends far beyond the classroom.”
The transition to becoming a sustainable university requires orientation, awareness, education, knowledge sharing, and stakeholders’ active involvement and commitment across the UIC community.
Through this united effort, UIC aims to foster transformative education that creates lasting impacts, contributing to a better future for all.