[Podcast] Special Discussion Session “Sustainability”: The Role of Universities and Stakeholders in Sustainable Development

Within the framework of the international conference RTD 2024 “Fostering Sustainability” of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), the discussion session with the topic “Sustainability” had the participation of leading experts on sustainable development around the world who have come together to clarify the role of universities and stakeholders with the purpose of achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through specific programs.

A special discussion session with the topic “Sustainability” took place on July 16 with the participation of Assoc Prof. Bui Quang Hung – Deputy Director of UEH and Moderator of the discussion session; and the following speakers include Prof. Lesly Goh – Fulbright Specialist; Prof. Karen Tagulao – Saint Joseph University, Macau; Prof. Jiyong Eom – Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) together with the participation of more than 150 students, experts, and leaders with special interest in the field of sustainability and the environment.

The discussion session highlighted how to cooperate between stakeholders including universities, businesses, the United Nations (UN) and other stakeholders to solve urgent problems listed as climate crises, food security and environmental pollution, aiming to implement 17 SDGs. In particular, we focus on the role of universities in the US, UK, Indonesia, Macao, Korea and Vietnam.

Multidisciplinary and Sustainable UEH – The University taking a pioneering step towards sustainable development in Vietnam

Opening the discussion session, Assoc Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung shared the strategy and the vision towards UEH’ Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University in 2030 thanks to his highlighting how the university interacts, connecting with the community, and how to promote the community towards to sustainability; concurrently, emphasizing the important role of higher education institutions in educating and training global citizens, making them a workforce with sustainable skills and expertise.

Assoc Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung emphasized the implementation of SDGs goals at UEH in accordance with the following 5 pillars. In terms of the Training pillar of maintaining lifelong learning and the Glocal training platform through subjects, short-term and long-term courses for different subjects to contribute to SDG 4 – Ensuring education quality. In terms of the Research pillar, UEH has produced 311 research articles by lecturers and staff, in which, 71 research articles are related to the topic of green lifestyle, circular economy and more contributing to SDG 7 – Energy clean and affordable, SDG 13 – Climate action, SDG 14 – Marine resources and environment. UEH integrates sustainable activities into university administration and builds green culture as a daily activity contributing to SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production, SDG 15 – Natural resources and environment on land, SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions. During the operation of the green campus, 4 tons of landfill waste was reduced thanks to the thorough application of the waste separation model at source, contributing to increasing the waste life cycle and responsible consumption in accordance with SDG 12 and 15. In terms of the Community pillar, UEH constantly connects with organizations and communities interested in the field of sustainability to share and to discuss together in oder to solve environmental challenges, including the International Forum for Sustainability (IFS), which contributes a lot to SDG 17 – Cooperation – towards realizing the goals.

Before ending the presentation, Assoc Prof. Dr. Bui Quang Hung posed a provocative question: “How do we connect with stakeholders in sustainable development, what is the role of higher education institutions in this process?”

*Please refer to the full presentation by Assoc Prof. Bui Quang Hung here

Assoc Prof. Bui Quang Hung sharing UEH’ steps towards a Multidisciplinary and Sustainable University

Partnering with universities to empower youth and university research on sustainable agri-food systems

Prof. Lesly Goh, shared her research on sustainable agriculture for AgriFood system transformation. Agriculture is an important sector for many countries in South East Asia, in particular rice cultivation. Rice is an important stable food but one of the highest methane emissions. Therefore, it is critical that we look into innovative solutions for improving rice production to increase farmers’ income while reducing methane emission. Prof. LesLy Goh shared: “UEH Vinh Long could offer a good opportunity for research so that the youth can engage with the local communities in Mekong Delta. Higher education institutions can work with policymakers and agri-business stakeholders to create suitable business models for farmers and the economy.

* Please refer to the full presentation by Prof. Lesly Goh here

Prof. Lesly Go sharing researching sustainable agricultural food systems

From science to action: Engaging stakeholders for sustainable development in Macau through university-industry partnerships

Taking the example of partnership between university and industry in Macau, Prof. Karen Tagulao commented that: “It is necessary for higher education institutions to connect and to interact with local businesses, governments, and NGOs in organizing activities and projects for the community with the purpose of achieving the 17 SDGs regardless the direct or indirect impacts.

Turning scientific research into practical action through community out–reach: Projects are carried out with a variety of activities listed as collecting trash at the beach, planting trees, seminars, exhibitions and so on so as to solve the environmental problems effectively. I would like to emphasize that education and research will promote changes by empowering communities through knowledge to find long-term solutions towards environmental problems and sustainable development. Along with that, collaboration is the key for tertiary institutions in order to engage stakeholders for comprehensive impact.”

* Please refer to the full presentation by Prof. Karen Tagulao here

Prof. Karen Tagulao sharing the impact of engaging stakeholders for sustainable development

Transdisciplinary research and education for sustainability in an era of climate crisis

Prof. Jiyong Eom – the speaker from Korea – shared how to achieve carbon neutrality and how to transform the industry in line with carbon neutrality. This is the goal set by the Korean government as well as that of many countries around the world. This professor emphasized: “To solve the global challenges of responding to the climate crisis and being carbon neutral, there is a more effective solution than integrating science and technology with policy and finance. Scientific and technological innovation that goes hand in hand with environmental policy and aligns with changes in green finance is also important. Therefore, it is necessary to apply creativity and interdisciplinary skills to create creative and comprehensive solutions in solving difficult problems.”

* Please refer to the full presentation by Prof. Jiyong Eom here

Prof. Jiyong Eom sharing cross-disciplinary research and education in solving difficult problems

The special discussion forum seeking the answers to the role of sustainable universities

After the speakers’ presentations, a special discussion session took place in order to find more solutions for sustainable development. With questions from the Moderator – Assoc Prof. Bui Quang Hung: “Dear our valued speakers, can you please tell more regarding the role of higher education institutions in sustainable strategies?”, the discussion session received remarkable answers.

Another update regarding the question from Assoc Prof. Bui Quang Hung, Prof. Lesly Goh stated: “There is one thing that immediately comes to my mind for the question. I think that lifelong learning is an important part of sustainable development UEH could play an important role for the youth and for continuous learning opportunities throughout their lives.”

In terms of Prof. Karen Tagulao’s thought: “Universities have a very important role because education is the key; nevertheless, we need to incorporate sustainability concepts. First, we empower lifelong learning opportunities by continuously delivering courses to students and stakeholders outside the university. Second, the research element is essential. Universities play an important role in conducting research, especially addressing environmental or social issues listed as climate change mitigation and adaptation. This is the key to making informed decisions for not only policymakers but also all other stakeholders. Third, universities are platforms to bring together stakeholders listed as government, community members and industries to discuss social and environmental issues.”

Besides, in response to the audience’s question: “Please share your experience in promoting relationships between businesses, industries and universities in achieving sustainability?”. Prof. Jiyong Eom stated: “For Korea, large companies are very interested in how they can completely decarbonize their business operations because many companies have already established that in their target is 2030 or 2050. The fact that their top priority is to find solutions is what university scholars can help them to increase interactions and connections between universities and businesses and stakeholders.”

Fac climate, economic, and environmental challenges, universities and stakeholders can choose various options and methods to solve these problems. In particular, the close connection and interaction among universities and stakeholders is extremely necessary on the journey towards global sustainability goals.

This is an article in a series of articles spreading research and applied knowledge from UEH with the message “Research Contribution For All – Research For The Community”, UEH respectfully invites dear readers to look forward to the upcoming UEH Research Newsletter Insights #123.

News and photos: Author group, UEH Department of Marketing and Communications