16th SDG-UP Workshop Explores University Impact for the SDGs

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  • 2022•08•09     Online

    On 12 May 2022, UNU-IAS organised the 16th workshop of the SDG–Universities Platform (SDG-UP), featuring Duncan Ross (Chief Data Officer, Times Higher Education) who discussed recent trends in higher education and how universities could deepen their impact on achieving the SDGs. The online event engaged 70 participants from 29 universities across Japan.

    Mr Ross noted that there were 25,000 universities worldwide with close ties to local communities and that their economic activities accounted for 1.7 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product, adding that it was crucial to leverage their impact.

    He explained that the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings aimed to make comparisons based on a balanced judgement of four aspects: research, stewardship (physical and human resource management), outreach, and education. Mr Ross highlighted areas in which universities could deepen their sustainability impact: (i) partnerships, (ii) openness, (iii) research, (iv) teaching, (v) community, (vi) stewardship, and (vii) focus. He expressed his hope that more universities in Japan and around the world would participate in the next round of rankings.

    Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi (Director, UNU-IAS) moderated the Q&A session, followed by group discussion on the Impact Rankings 2022 and utilising external evaluation.

    In closing remarks, Shunichi Murata (Advisor, SDG-UP; Kwansei Gakuin University) emphasised that the ultimate goal of the rankings was not to compete, but to use the rankings strategically and effectively to promote university reform. He pointed out that since the emergence of the Ukraine issue, understanding of Goal 16 (Peace and Justice For All) has increased in Europe and the United States, and efforts to achieve it were being strengthened at universities. Prof. Murata concluded that education on Goal 16 should be reviewed as part of the governance process in Japan.

    A detailed report of this workshop is also available in Japanese.

    Participating Universities

    This workshop engaged 29 participating universities, which are listed below in alphabetical order.

    Chiba University of Commerce
    Ehime University
    Hiroshima University
    Hokkaido University
    International Christian University
    International University of Japan
    Kanazawa University
    Keio Gijuku University
    Kitakyushu City University
    Kwanseigakuin University
    Kyushu Sangyo University
    Nara University of Education
    Notre Dame Seishin University
    Ochanomizu University
    Okayama University
    Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
    Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University
    Osaka Metropolitan University
    Osaka University
    Ryukoku University
    Soka University
    Sophia University
    Tokai University
    Tokyo City University
    Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Tokyo University of Science
    Toyo University
    University of Tokyo
    University of Tsukuba