Enhancing Sustainability: UM-Main Hosts the 2024 SDG Summit Series I

In a landmark event aimed at reinforcing its commitment to global sustainability, the University of Mindanao-Main hosted the UM SDG-Summit Series I on July 17, 2024, at AVR-4 in the New Library Building.

Spearheaded by the Vice President of External Relations and International Affairs Office (VP-ERIAO) Reynaldo Castro, the summit centered around the theme "Reinforcing UM’s Vision Through the UN-Sustainable Development Goals" and aimed to integrate the university's vision with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), engaging university officials, university researchers, college deans, and the student body in the process.

VP-ERIAO Castro outlined the summit's rationale, emphasizing the need to involve various university stakeholders in the implementation of the SDGs and to devise strategies, policies, and plans in alignment with these goals. The objectives included building a foundational understanding of the SDGs, developing key advocates within the university, learning from the best practices of well-ranked academic institutions, and mapping out UM’s engagement with the SDGs to develop actionable strategies.

The summit also presented the SDG best practices of the top performing universities in the recent Times Higher Education (THE) ranking by Jade Solaña, Program Head of Bachelor of Accountancy, highlighting that SDG #14 was the least selected with 648 university submissions, while SDG #4 was the most selected with 1,681 submissions. Solaña also discussed the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, Living Labs, and the Sustainability and Resilience 2030 Strategies, which encompass core curriculum, operations, research, and engagement. Additionally, he mentioned the university's proactive planning efforts, social inclusion policies, sustainability food policy, biodiversity surveys, and the annual Research Impact Showcase focusing on SDG-related studies.

Senior Vice President for Academics, Ronnie Amorado, delivered the SDG implementation at UM, emphasizing the importance of global engagement and the integration of SDGs into education to enhance global competence, connect classroom learning to real-world issues, and foster democratization, knowledge transfer, and academic collaboration.

Moreover, VP-IPAC Pedrito Castillo II discussed the linkage between SDGs and student outcomes, introducing the concept of "Sustainazens" and detailing the key competencies necessary for SDG implementation, including systems thinking, normative, anticipatory, strategic, and critical thinking competencies, along with collaboration, integrated problem-solving, and self-awareness. Castillo also explained the principles of SDG key competencies assessment and the integration of these criteria into various university courses.

In the afternoon session, delegates reviewed the UM SDG Scorecard and areas designated by assigned SDG champions, followed by a workshop where delegates formed groups to create ticket projects aligned with specific SDG areas. These projects included brief descriptions, target beneficiaries, identified partners, and timelines for implementation, ensuring the summit's discussions would translate into future actions.

The UM SDG-Summit Series I marked a significant step forward in the University of Mindanao-Matina's commitment to sustainability. By fostering a collaborative environment for discussing and implementing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, the summit empowered students, faculty, and leaders to develop actionable strategies that align with global best practices. The event not only highlighted the university's dedication to sustainable development but also laid the groundwork for ongoing efforts to integrate these principles into its academic and community initiatives.