December 2, 2020

Report details UOW’s contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals

Commitment extends from the workplace to teaching and research, to industry and research collaborations

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has released a report summarising how its activities and initiatives are contributing towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for everyone.

The 17 SDGs include alleviating poverty, protecting the environment, providing affordable and clean energy, fostering innovation, building sustainable cities and communities, and tackling climate change.

As an SDG educational signatory, UOW is a member of the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Network of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

UOW’s commitment to the SDGs was recognised in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2020, where it was ranked 31st in the world based on its success in delivering outcomes addressing the SDGs.

On launching the UOW Sustainable Development Goals Report, Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings CBE said universities had enormous potential to help ensure the SDGs are achieved by 2030.

“The role of universities in sustainable development extends beyond teaching and research. We also contribute through our operations, governance, policy and practice, and through partnerships and engagement with our communities,” Professor Wellings said.

“Achieving these goals requires action to be taken on a number of levels. This includes equipping future leaders and innovators with the knowledge to initiate change, executing research that works with industry and community to find solutions to global challenges, and ensuring our campuses are environmentally sustainable and inclusive.

“The University’s responsibility to these goals starts with our own workplaces and practices and carries through to our teaching and research and out to the communities we work in and the partners we work with.”

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Professor Jennifer L. Martin AC said that throughout its global network the University was working with industry, research partners, governments, communities and other universities to provide solutions to society’s critical economic, environmental, social and health challenges.

“The difficulties the world has faced in 2020 further underscore the importance of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the need to work collaboratively to overcome the many challenges we face,” Professor Martin said.

“The UOW Sustainable Development Goals Report provides a great overview of how the University and its staff and students are working collaboratively with our communities and our industry and research partners to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“Everyone who is interested in the work the University is doing in this area – from alleviating hunger and advancing health and wellbeing, to promoting gender equality and improving access to education – should have a browse through this report.”

The UOW Sustainable Development Goals Report lists each of the 17 SDGs and highlights the University’s activities and initiatives to address each goal. Find out more about the University’s commitment to the UN SDGs here.