Closing reflections

Sustainability-related reporting in higher education is an emerging space and, in many ways, we are navigating new territory. Underpinned by UP’s enquiry-led and transdisciplinary approaches, we are continuing to explore and learn in a way that we hope will contribute to knowledge and practice in our global university community.

Reporting on progress towards achieving the SDGs provides an open space, and there are probably several ways in which to do so. We have sought an “integrated thinking, integrated doing and integrated reporting” approach, which is still maturing. As such, much needs to be done in each part of the integration pathway, from design and embedding to practices and ultimately reporting on progress.

A key question that we continue to grapple with is: how do we meaningfully measure performance and progress? The indicators we have presented offer a partial reflection, and our full basket of indicators – both soft and hard – and their true meaning is yet to evolve.

This report reflects a step towards maturation as well as the steps we are taking towards accelerated achievement of the SDGs.

Acknowledgements

This report reflects the work, talent and dedication of UP’s academic and professional staff, as well as the students who collectively make up our university community. Their efforts and contributions as individuals and as a collective make us who we are and drive the results that we get.

We also acknowledge the UP Executive Team. Beyond setting a direction that embraces an authentic commitment to sustainable development, they have supported and created the conditions for us to prepare such a report.

SDG Progress Report Team

Brian Chicksen

Executive Office, UP

Jonathan tager

International Strategic Partnerships, UP Sithembinkosi Tlale Department of Institutional Advancement, UP Hossein Masoumi Karakani Department of Institutional Planning, UP Carina young media Chef