Call for applications for the third cohort of the course ‘Sustainable University Leadership and Governance: Advancing the 2030 Agenda’.
This initiative targets university Vice-Chancellors and governance teams to drive strategic change for sustainability.
Paris, France, June 10, 2025 — In celebration of World Environment Day on June 5, the UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNESCO IESALC) has announced the call for applications for the third cohort of the international course titled “Sustainable University Leadership and Governance: Towards the 2030 Agenda.” This initiative is designed for university Vice-Chancellors and governance teams who are interested in driving a strategic transformation toward sustainability.
Universities not only generate knowledge, but they also lead, inspire, and mobilize entire communities. In this context, the course aims to strengthen institutional leadership capacities to integrate sustainability as a central aspect of university development.
A transformative experience for driving change
Throughout the course, participating teams will:
- Explore models for incorporating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into institutional strategic plans.
- Engage in discussions with international experts in sustainability, governance, and change management.
- Conduct an institutional self-assessment focusing on teaching, research, governance, and social engagement.
- With specialized mentoring, design an Institutional Implementation Plan (IIP) and a Sustainability Roadmap.
- Participants will receive personalized monitoring for six months to support implementation and assess impact in 2025.
- Participants will join the Vice-Chancellors’ Network for Sustainability to share experiences and best practices and build alliances within their region.
Course Structure
- In-Person Start: September 2025, in Bogotá, Colombia. This phase includes three days of face-to-face workshops, visits to universities, and the signing of the Institutional Commitment to Sustainability.
- Virtual Training: Eight weeks of training will be provided, featuring both synchronous and asynchronous sessions for Vice-Chancellors and two members of the institutional team.
- Mentoring Period: A six-month mentoring program will follow, aimed at implementing and monitoring the progress of the institutional plan, as well as evaluating its actual impact.
Course Objectives
- Guide government teams in understanding the opportunities presented by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and develop a roadmap aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
- Provide tools to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in teaching, research, institutional management, and outreach initiatives.
- Incorporate the principles of sustainability into university culture and governance.
- Explore conceptual frameworks and analyze best practices of universities in the region.
- Foster alliances, cooperation, and peer learning.
- Design and implement an institutional plan with specific and measurable goals.
Why Participate?
As awareness of the crucial role universities play in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continues to grow, effective practical implementation often falls short. This course presents a unique and concrete opportunity to bridge the gap between commitment and action. Participants will explore innovative strategies and collaborative approaches to steer higher education institutions toward fostering a more sustainable future, empowering them to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
- Participants receive the final certification, which carries UNESCO recognition.
The Course Starts in September 2025 in Bogota, Colombia.
Source: UNESCO
— The editor of CitiTimes is a UNESCO-IIEP-certified higher education consultant.
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