20 February 2025
Fenny Julistine Tarigan
In her remarks, Prof. Dr. Apt. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan emphasized the importance of higher education institutions contributing to achieving SDGs. "As an educational institution, we must contribute to promoting and supporting SDGs, especially in the fields of education, health, environment, and the circular economy," she stated. She also stressed that SDGs should be integrated into research, community service, and academic programs to create tangible social impacts.
The event featured several speakers focusing on strategies for implementing SDGs in academic settings. Dr. Djonet Santoso, MA., an SDGs Expert from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), presented the concept of Systems Thinking in SDGs. He explained that sustainable development must balance environmental interests with economic growth, with the green economy as a middle ground. Sustainable development must meet current needs without compromising the rights of future generations, focusing on four main pillars: social, economic, environmental, and governance.
Bayu Ari Fianto, S.E., M.B.A., Ph.D., from Universitas Airlangga, highlighted strategies for implementing SDGs in higher education institutions. He revealed that many universities, including USU, have contributed to achieving SDGs, but their documentation and reporting still need improvement. "USU has done a lot, but its documentation is lacking. Each faculty must contribute through impactful SDG-related activities, which should then be selected and reported in the SDGs report. These activities should also be uploaded to the website with clear narratives and supported by photographic documentation," he explained. He also shared UNAIR's experience in actively organizing various SDG programs, such as seminars, SDG festivals, call-for-papers, talk shows, and short film competitions with SDG themes to increase awareness and participation among the academic community.
Dr. Wahyu Ario Pratomo, S.E., M.Ec., Head of the USU SDGs Center, further elaborated on USU's role in achieving the SDGs. According to him, selecting keywords in SDG narratives is crucial for AI-based systems to recognize them. He also emphasized that real impact is more important than merely pursuing university rankings in global assessments in implementing the SDGs. "Collaboration with other universities and the community is key to successful SDG implementation. We must focus on the impact we create, not just chase rankings," he said.
With this socialization event, USU is expected to become more active in promoting SDG implementation through various programs and policies involving all campus elements. The university's commitment to sustainable development is hoped to yield innovative solutions that benefit the environment, society, and the global economy.
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