UGM is currently moving towards a sustainable and green campus. This is evidenced by its achievement of ranking third in 2023 as the Most Sustainable University in Indonesia, according to UI GreenMetric.
UGM recognizes the need to collaborate with various parties to become an agent of social change and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
One is UI GreenMetric, a global university-ranking institution based on environmental management commitments.
UGM and UI GreenMetric organized a “Regional Workshop on UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for Universities in Asia-Pacific” workshop on Monday, Jul. 22, 2024, at the UGM Central Office.
The aim is to share knowledge and experiences in achieving sustainability and fostering better partnerships to promote social and economic development in Indonesia.
The event spanned two days, with the second day featuring visits to several UGM facilities, including the Livestock Development Center at the Faculty of Animal Science, UGM Faith and Spirituality Center, Agrotechnology Innovation Center (PIAT), and UGM Science Techno Park (STP).
These are to observe best practices in campus management based on sustainability values.
In her opening remarks, Professor Wening Udasmoro, Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching at UGM, explained that the workshop aims to help university leaders and sustainability officers learn best practices from other campuses.
This concerns sustainability policies, programs, and implementation and provides opportunities for collaboration in managing sustainable campuses.
“UGM has committed to sustainable development and campus greening through various policies such as energy and water conservation, eco-friendly transportation, and community service programs,” she cited examples.
“We have implemented best practices in energy conservation through using renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and applying smart and green buildings. As for water conservation and recycling, we are conducting these activities at Wisdom Park, and we have also established Toyagama as a business unit from these water conservation activities.”
She also elaborated on the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM), the university’s flagship community service program.
“KKN-PPM is a mandatory course for students, serving as a learning platform for them to contribute to sustainable development in communities. Our KKN-PPM program spans 35 provinces in Indonesia and now includes international students from 15 countries currently studying at UGM,” she concluded.
Deputy Program Chair of UI GreenMetric’s Communication and Partnership Team, Dr. Junaidi, explained that the program has been running since 2010, and participation from universities worldwide has increased yearly.
This concerns UI GreenMetric’s commitment to being a global ranking platform for universities that address the world’s environmental challenges.
“When the ranking started in 2010, only 100 universities from 35 countries participated. By 2023, this number had risen to 1,183 universities from 86 countries,” Dr. Junaidi said.
Before the panel discussion session began, all participants attended a membership declaration ceremony for 15 universities that had recently joined the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings Network.
These included Biliran Province State University, Bulacan Agricultural State College, and Carlos Hilado Memorial State University from the Philippines, as well as 12 other universities in Indonesia, including Universitas Bakti Indonesia, IAIN Kudus, Politeknik Keselamatan Transportasi Jalan, Politeknik LPP Yogyakarta, Politeknik Negeri Lampung, Politeknik Pekerjaan Umum, Politeknik Wilmar Bisnis Indonesia, Politeknik Negeri Padang, UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Universitas Negeri Medan, Universitas Borneo Tarakan, and Universitas Mulawarman.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographer: Firsto
Post-editor: Lintang