The University of Pretoria’s (UP) recently published 2024 Sustainable Development Report outlines the sustainable development issues the University is systematically addressing – including advancing food production, research in cancer and infectious diseases, climate action, biodiversity conservation and entrepreneurship.
According to Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen, the publishing of the report demonstrates how UP is striding ahead with a multi-faceted approach to sustainable development, as expressed in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
“As a leading research-intensive university, we are working at the frontier of transdisciplinary research, teaching and engagement to help address some of society’s most complex challenges,” Prof Petersen said.
“This is all the more urgent as instability, triggered by a range of ‘wicked problems’ at the national, continental and global levels, threatens humanity and planetary sustainability. These include hunger, high levels of unemployment, biodiversity loss, climate instability, global conflict and health crises, to name a few.”
According to the report’s author, Dr Brian Chicksen (Advisor to the Executive: Special Projects at UP), it covers UP’s sustainability efforts during 2024 and traverses the broad spectrum of sustainable development. “We pursue sustainable development in an integrated way through our many research, education and community engagement programmes, and throughout the university’s operations,” Chicksen said.
Advancing and amplifying impact
With a student population of about 56 000, UP seeks to broaden access and produce graduates who are well-prepared for the rapidly evolving future of work, and who can advance sustainability within their various professions. To this end, the University has expanded access for students globally through its UPOnline education offerings, now in their fifth year. Intentionally embedding sustainable development principles and the SDGs into curricula enables graduates to advance sustainable development within their professions and workplaces.
All UP faculties are engaged in transdisciplinary research and tackle real-world challenges through joint efforts. Collaborators include the higher education sector, the private sector, government, NGOs and communities. Along with UP research institutes and centres, these partnerships are at the frontier of new knowledge.
A few examples of how UP translates its sustainability strategy into action include the following:
- Establishing a Research Chair in Entrepreneurship
- Leading the Innovative Engineering Curricula (IEC) project in South Africa
- Hosting a farmer’s day for communal and emerging farmers in the Bojanala District, North West, where cattle were aged and vaccinated
- Establishing the Centre for Transformative Infectious Disease Research on Climate, Health and Equity in a Changing Environment (C-CHANGE).
- Working to expand climate-smart technologies and novel off-grid-powered drying units to reduce fish loss and waste.
These are only some of the many examples contained in the report of UP working with other universities, government and industry to advance sustainable solutions.
Operations for the future
In the section focusing on the sustainability of the University’s operations, it is reported that UP has expanded its carbon footprint reporting from Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased electricity) reporting to include Scope 3 (all other indirect emissions across the value chain).
The University introduced a cutting-edge Smart Campus automation and reporting system to track energy use, water consumption, waste management and carbon emissions. The system allows for precise, data-driven decision-making to address inefficiencies and optimise resource use.
A vibrant student life
The report focuses strongly on students, who are the lifeblood of the University. Among the student-focused activities highlighted are UP’s sporting division, TuksSport, which hosts and coordinates more than 30 sporting codes, focusing on recreation and well-being for UP students, as well as accelerated development and support for high-performing athletes through its High-Performance Centre (HPC).
UP’s Ovuwa cultural ensemble is open to students from all faculties and performs a repertoire of traditional African songs and dances, showcasing the diversity of South African cultures. At the 2024 South African Traditional Music Achievements (SATMA) Awards, Ovuwa won the award for Best Traditional Group/Artist from an institution of higher learning.
Ongoing commitment
“Over the next five years, our institution-wide, integrated approach to sustainable development will continue to mature as part of our ongoing commitment to contributing to a better world,” Chicksen concluded.
