SDG 17 – UPH Education for SDGs in the Wider Community - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) UPH

UPH Education for SDGs in the Wider Community

Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) demonstrates a holistic and inclusive approach to community empowerment through education, reflected in its wide-ranging outreach initiatives that engage students, alumni, and marginalised groups. Guided by its Christian mission to serve society and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UPH ensures that learning extends beyond the classroom to create meaningful impact for the wider community.

Through the Service Learning Community (SLC), UPH mobilises students to lead outreach programmes that directly address local needs. Structured across four departments—Health, Education and Culture, Environmental Preservation, and Research and Development—SLC initiatives embody the principles of sustainability and service. Programmes such as Business Development (BISDEV) strengthen village economies through entrepreneurship training, Mari Sehat promotes health literacy and stunting prevention, Mari Membaca enhances literacy and cultural awareness among children, and the Ocean Sustainability Movement (OSMO) fosters environmental stewardship through mangrove conservation. These initiatives combine education, social innovation, and faith-based compassion, reaching hundreds of local residents each year.

Business Development held on April 12, 24, and 25, 2025 programme empowered residents of Nanggerang Village, Bogor, through cassava product innovation workshops and sales strategy seminars to strengthen entrepreneurship, improve product marketability, and create sustainable income opportunities.

Ocean Sustainability Movement (OSMO) engaged 28 committee members and 22 volunteers in May 8, 2025 to plant 750 mangrove seedlings at Jembatan Pelangi, Desa Lontar, alongside conservation training with KeMANGTEER and five educational videos promoting mangrove preservation.

Mari Membaca 9 held on April 11 and 17, 2025, at SDN 5 Tigaraksa, engaged 617 elementary school students through literacy activities, creative workshops, and library improvements to promote reading interest and accessible learning opportunities. –

Mari Sehat 2025 programme in May 6, 2025 engaged the Bencongan Indah community in health education on stunting prevention, balanced nutrition, and positive parenting through interactive activities designed to promote healthy child development and strengthen family well-being.

UPH’s outreach extends beyond current students through active alumni engagement. The IKA UPH TALKS, organised by the Alumni Family Association (IKA UPH) and Alumni Relations, serve as a platform to reconnect graduates, share expertise, and promote the integration of sustainability principles in professional practice. Alumni are encouraged to contribute as mentors and practitioner-teachers, bridging academic learning with real-world impact. Through seminars, community service, and knowledge-sharing sessions, alumni continue to support UPH’s mission of shaping responsible leaders who uplift their communities.

Alumni Homecoming 2024 on August 16, 2024, gathering UPH alumni to engage in sustainable collaboration and lifelong learning, as well as educating the university vision to support the SDGs.

UPH’s commitment to inclusive education also reaches displaced communities. In collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UPH provided full scholarships and comprehensive support for Afghan refugees every year with certificates of completion in hospitality management. Beyond academics, the programme offered English preparation, mentorship, accommodation, and social integration—demonstrating UPH’s dedication to education as a means of restoring dignity and hope for those in vulnerable situations.

Together, these initiatives reflect UPH’s unified vision of education as a transformative force for society. By engaging students, alumni, and international partners, UPH cultivates a culture of service and sustainability—empowering individuals and communities alike to create lasting, positive change.