UPH Embeds Meaningful SDG Education Across the University
Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) demonstrates a university-wide commitment to meaningful education for sustainable development by integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its academic, non-academic, and extracurricular activities. UPH endorses all 17 SDGs as part of its commitment to advancing sustainable development, while placing particular institutional emphasis on eight core SDGs: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Firstly, UPH’s commitment is formally established through RectorDecree No. 018/SKR-UPH/II/2026, which directs the alignment of the SDGs across UPH’s Tridharma of Higher Education activities. Importantly, the commitment extends directly into the curriculum: courses are expected to incorporate relevant SDG aspects into their teaching and learning plans (RPS). This makes sustainability education relevant not only to selected programmes but across the university’s academic provision.
This university-wide approach was implemented across 64 study programmes in the 2024/2025 academic year, demonstrating the translation of institutional commitment into curriculum-level practice. In addition, 30.92% of courses offered by UPH are identified as sustainability-related, with particularly strong representation in areas related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
SDG-related education is also incorporated into learning experiences shared by students beyond specialised sustainability programmes. Core courses taken by freshmen include Citizenship, which addresses responsible citizenship and connects with SDGs 4, 12, and 16. UPH also provides Health and Wellness Month, a mandatory non-academic programme for all freshmen, through which students participate in activities promoting physical health, exercise, and healthy eating, supporting SDG 3.
Alongside mainstream curriculum integration, UPH provides dedicated programmes that allow students to pursue sustainability more deeply, including the Master of Sustainable Tourism Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Green Economy & Sustainable Business, the interdisciplinary course Sustainable Entrepreneurship, and the Bachelor of Sustainability Management and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) for working professionals.
Through this university-wide approach, UPH moves beyond treating sustainability as a standalone topic. SDG education is embedded from institutional policy and curriculum design to shared student experiences and specialised programmes, enabling students from different academic backgrounds to engage with sustainable development in ways relevant to their disciplines and future roles. This integrated approach strengthens UPH’s commitment to developing graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, and responsibility to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.