Education for SDGs: commitment to meaningful education

CUT’s commitment to achieving the SDGs is clearly reflected in its vision, mission, and core values and is implemented across all levels of the organisation. The CUT’s SDGs Committee, comprising academics, administrative staff and students, supports the University’s alignment with the SDGs. Collaborating with the Learning Development Network (LDN), this committee enhances sustainability aspects within CUT policies and to ensures the integration of education on and for the SDGs into a broad spectrum of activities.

All CUT students, across all levels (BSc, MSc, PhD), are exposed to SDG principles through the incorporation of SDG-based concepts into courses and modules across various faculties. Additionally, the LDN organises various initiatives aimed at educating the academic community on and for the SDGs. For example, in 2023, it introduced a new program to fund small internal programs that promote innovative, inclusive and engaging teaching initiatives centered on the SDGs, thus enhancing the educational experience of students. Notably, eligibility criteria for funding required alignment with the strategic goals of the University/Department/School and the 17 SDGs.

More information follows regarding the Framework for Institutionalising Small, Competitive, Internal Programs to enhance teaching excellence.

Moreover, education on sustainability issues is provided to all new coming staff and students during their induction period (https://green.cut.ac.cy/environmentaltraining/) and throughout the year via organised events.

Also, education for SDGs is central to the European Sustainability Sciences Lab (ESSLab+) https://esslab.pubpub.org/ of the EUt+ (European University of Technology– an alliance of nine technological universities across Europe). Through sustainability research, knowledge transfer to impact society, and promoting sustainable research practices, the ESSLab+ embodies the SDGs. Following a Student Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the EUt+ motto, “Think human first,” evolved into “Think human and all living beings first.” In 2023, six reading sessions on SDGs were held for ESSLab+ participants, including academics, researchers, and students.

Furthermore, many research labs and groups at CUT address environmental sustainability horizontally and offer SDG-centered thesis projects. These include:

 

These labs, along with the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence, address SDG priorities through interdisciplinary research, innovation, and education, further strengthening CUT’s commitment to providing meaningful and sustainable education for all of our students.