News Report: Institutional Approaches and Strategies for Greening Study Visit
The “Institutional Approaches and Strategies for Greening” virtual study visit, hosted by University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, and SPHERE (Centralized Support to the Network of Higher Education Reform Experts), took place on March 25 and 27, 2024. The event brought together representatives from various countries, including Uzbekistan’s Higher Education Reform Expert Prof. Dr. Nozliya Normurodova and the National Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan.
The visit was inaugurated by distinguished speakers, including Michael Gaebel (SPHERE Team Leader), Prof. Ursula Kilkelly (Vice President Global Engagement, UCC), Cliona Maher (International Officer, UCC), and Adrian Veale (Policy Officer, European Commission, DG EAC).
The two-day program aimed to showcase UCC’s innovative Green Campus strategy and its integration into the university's institutional mission and operations. Highlights of the visit included an introduction to UCC’s “Sustainability and Climate Action Plan 2023–2028”, the Greenshoots Green Campus Programme, and discussions on global greening trends.
• Day 1: Participants explored UCC’s approach to sustainability, including its role within the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
• Day 2: Breakout group discussions covered topics such as “Greening and Teaching and Learning,” “Third Mission and University Engagement,” and “Research Collaboration.” Prof. Howard Davies (SPHERE Academic Expert) facilitated discussions, while participants shared practices, national priorities, and interdisciplinary research initiatives aligned with sustainability goals.
Participants also learned about unique initiatives such as the “Irish Tree Explorers Network Project,” the “UCC International Office Swap Shop,” and the activities of the UCC Environmental Society.
Key Takeaways:
• Gained insights into UCC’s comprehensive strategies for embedding sustainability into institutional policies and engaging diverse stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, and youth.
• Explored how national strategies address higher education’s role in advancing environmental sustainability.
• Understood how Erasmus+ initiatives and frameworks like the SDGs and the European Green Deal support sustainability efforts.
This study visit offered an invaluable opportunity to examine how higher education institutions like UCC lead the charge in sustainability, inspiring participants to implement these approaches within their own contexts.