University of Technology Sydney (UTS) hosts UTS Global Goals Month, a partnership between UTS BUILD and UTS Sustainability during September, a step change initiative injecting sustainability into the heart and soul of the student and staff experience.
No surprise; UTS was one of the first Australian universities to become a signatory to the University Commitment to the UN SDGs and one of 10 Australian universities to be a member of the UN Global Compact Network Australia.
The Times Higher Education ranks UTS as the 9th global young university and =14th globally in the THE Impact Ranking, which assesses universities against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With UTS sharing in this worldwide commitment across academia, community, and governments to accelerate SDG action, they are stepping up to practice what they preach.
Check out the UTS 2023 September events here.
Student barometers and sentiment surveys tell us sustainability influences the international and domestic student decision-making process. So, how institutions articulate and showcase their commitment to sustainability is critical.
Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice-Chancellor and President, notes in the 2022 UTS Sustainability report that “Sustainability continues to play a central role in the university’s identity and direction”. And it does, with the UTS Sustainability Policy operating through the principle of lead by example, by name and nature it is just that – they lead by example… to “demonstrate leadership in sustainable development in the university sector, and to foster sustainability values and principles for students, staff and the wider community”.
Studying and working in a globally connected world requires heightened awareness. The UTS BUILD global leadership program harnesses leadership potential, building the personal and professional capabilities to shape students as global leaders and active global citizens.
With over 1,200 students through the program, it delivers on core values of Leadership, Global Citizenship, Empowerment, Intercultural Competency, Diversity and Inclusion and Social and Environmental Sustainability. Students explore global issues, develop a global mindset, and build professional skills aligned with the UTS graduate attribute to become responsible global citizens making meaningful contributions to society in their careers and lives.
Curating the program experience through workshops and events, students have access to inspiring speakers and community-led activities. They explore on-demand seminars and courses that support an understanding of global issues, including the UN SDGs. In 2023, BUILD registrations have grown by 31%.
While students can add a global immersion, the program highlights the opportunity to significantly scale student access to sustainable offerings – reinforcing that while international experiences can be transformative – jumping on a plane is not always the solution.
Critically, the program is free and open to the UTS community – any undergraduate or postgraduate student, any academic discipline and any domestic or international student.
Equity of access to quality co-curricular learning can play an important role in student retention (domestic and international). UTS ranks 4th nationally for the proportion of international students successfully transitioning from their first year of study, and completion is recognised on a student’s Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS).
Importantly, 30% of BUILD members are international students.
In a climate where institutions have an increasingly global footprint by any measure; economic integration, environmental impact, community and political influence – the quality of sustainability programming is a headline element for prospective students, industry partners and community engagement. The only Australian university in the QS Quacquarelli Symonds top 100 with a 5+ star rating, UTS sits at =69th in the QS global sustainability rankings.
An Australian University leading by example, UTS is accelerating its graduates’ impact and potential for influence on the global stage.
