Enhancing the Contribution of Higher Education Institutions in Sustainable Development

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1 Enhancing the Contribution of Higher Education Institutions in Sustainable Development A Discussion for the National Workshop on the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, Iran, Iran Esmail Karamidehkordi Associate Professor of Systemic Studies in Knowledge systems and Sustainable Natural Resources Management The University of Zanjan, Iran Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, 6-7 Feb 2018

2 Purpose To emphasis the necessity of the contribution of national and international higher education institutions to sustainable development To show how to involve your higher education institution in sustainability networks, such as UI GreenMetric World University Rankings Network To share our experience on how to enhance sustainability indicators

3 Sustainable development Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. World Conference on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, 1987 (Brundtland Report)

4 Sustainable development

5 International Events & agreements 1987 World Commission on Environment and Dev Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1992: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 2000 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2002 UN World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), Johannesburg, South Africa 2005: Kyoto Protocol becomes fully ratified 2009: UN Climate Conference COP15, Copenhagen 2012 UN summit, Rio+20, Brazil 2015 UN Summit, SDGs, 2030 Agenda for SD 2017 COP23: UN Climate Change Conference

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7 Sustainable Development Goals 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere 2. End hunger, achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 7

8 Sustainable Development Goals 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change 8

9 Sustainable Development Goals 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans.. 15.Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 16.Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 9

10 Key Features Universality: These Goals apply to every nation and every sector. Cities, rural communities, businesses, schools, universities, organizations, all are challenged to act. Integration: The Goals are all interconnected, in a system. We cannot aim to achieve just one Goal. Transformation: Achieving these Goals involves making very big, fundamental changes in how we live on Earth.

11 Higher Education Institutions Role in sustainability Innovation and technology research and development, Enhancing staff and students' sustainability knowledge and social capacities, Changing HEIs environment to an eco-friendly and sustainable environment, and Enhancing social and human capacities of communities and public and private institutions.

12 Higher Education and Sustainable development Education and research for sustainability may need a significant change in not only in curricula and programmes change, but institutionalizing this concept in these institutions. Higher education institutions have a profound influence on all other institutions through educating and producing human resources who must care sustainability and this is a critical agenda that these institutions should take into account.

13 UI GreenMetric Initiative The assessments made by the University of Indonesia Green Metric since 2010 to measure and rank universities around the world show that many universities have taken sustainability as a serious key concept into account.

14 4.7 million students over academic staff Higher Education in Iran private institutions 28% State -run universities 18% Other Public institutions 54% Higher education in Iran is provided through a large network of over 2500 public, private and state affiliated universities, which includes: State -run universities and institutions; Public higher education institutions of distance learning and practical and technical learning; and Private higher education institutions

15 State-run universities students 130 non-medical universities 63 medical universities. These state -run universities are considered as the highest ranked Iranian universities

16 University of Zanjan A comprehensive public university Established as an agricultural higher education institute in a public granted land in a semiarid rural area in 1975

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18 The main campus is located in an area of 421 hectares, in the south west of the Zanjan City.

19 Education (2017) PHD 26% 229 Academic Programmes Bachelor 28% Enrolled students PHD 7% Master 29% Master 46% Bachelor 64% 2/6/

20 Education -400 full time academic staff -450 administrative staff Associate and full Professors 27% Assistant Professor 73% 2/6/

21 Faculties and Departments Faculty of Agriculture Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Science Faculty of Humanities 37 educational departments 4 Research departments 2/6/

22 Faculty of Agriculture Agricultural Extension, Communication and Rural Development Agronomy and Plant Breeding Animal Sciences Horticulture Plant Protection Soil Science Water Engineering Food Science and 2/6/2018 Technology 22

23 Faculty of Engineering Civil engineering Electrical engineering Mechanical Engineering Architecture Computer Engineering Survey Engineering Mining Engineering Material Engineering Chemical Engineering Art painting 2/6/

24 Faculty of Humanities: Departments Persian language and literature Geography Law Economics Management and accounting Philosophy Civilization and History Theology English Language and TEFL, literature Psychology Physical Education and Sport 2/6/ Sciences

25 Faculty of Science Chemistry Physics Mathematics Statistics Geology Biology Environmental science 2/6/

26 University of Zanjan in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings

27 Maximum Score University of Zanjan

28 University of Zanjan

29 Setting & Infrastructure The total ground floor area of buildings is estimated to be out of m 2 total university area in two campuses. Only 4 percent of the university area is covered by buildings. The average land per students is calculated as 400 m 2.

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34 Vegetation development Woodland increase since its establishment, which was originally covered by rangelands and croplands. In 2017, 17.5 percent of the university was covered by woodlands and percent by agricultural lands (rangelands and croplands) and other planted landscape vegetation. These areas are used for research, education, landscape management and production.

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40 Tree Planting Day The first week of March every year, the Iranian celebrates natural resources management and environment week and one of the days is called "Tree Planting Day". Students and staff participate in this event for plantation.

41 Woodland area Woodlands (ha) Other landscape

42 Water absorption Water can be absorbed in almost 93 percent of the university area, including agricultural lands, woodlands and other planted landscape vegetations. All the woodland areas have been planted by drought resistant trees proper for semiarid areas.

43 Energy and Climate change Energy efficient appliances have partially been replacing conventional appliances. Electricity and heating systems have partially been changed through utilising some more eco-friendly technologies, for example double glazing windows, smart electricity and heating, and using solar energy.

44 Energy and Climate change Most buildings have natural ventilation and full-day natural lighting. Energy management and climate change policies have been ratified, particularly using solar power and biogas technologies,

45 Waste management Vegetation waste: livestock use, natural and vermi composting. Inorganic waste such as plastic and papers are collected separately for recycling, through a contract with an environmental NGO Toxic wastes are cotained by labs and farm: handeling by registered organizations for disposal. Sewage disposal is partially managed: water and sludge (after composting) is treated and reused for farms and landscape. University strategic plan and policies for sustainable waste management: biogas for sewage, recycling, composting, and toxic waste containing.

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48 Water management Water crisis is considered as a crucial challenge in Iran Water managment in university short and long term strategic plans. Two separate drinkable and non-drinkable water systems Using new efficient and eco-friendly technologies for irrigation in the campus, eg dripped irrigation for trees and other modern irrigation techniques utilised in croplands. Drought resistant plant cultivation

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50 Transportation Public transportation is provided inside the campus and between the university and the Zanjan City free of charge to both staff and students. The policy and programme of the university is to continue public transportation support and to increase bicycle and pedestrian use and to limit the motor vehicles in the campus.

51 Education & Research One third of educational and research programmes provide courses and research regarding sustainability and environmental concerns. Publishing 700 papers on sustainability or environment in English or Persian 50 events through international and national conferences, workshops, meetings, campaigns, speeches, etc are organized. 33 students' organizations facilitating sustainable and environment activities.

52 Equity in education Most Iranian students do not pay any tuition fee for their education, but if they should, they get loans for their education. Almost 55 percent of the students are female. The university facilitates low cost and subsidised accommodation for all students inside the campus through student halls, located in separate areas for male and female students. Student halls have all the facilities required for student life, including IT services, reading rooms, gyms, restaurants, subsidised meals, mosques, and so on.

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