Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Turkey

Universidad de Santander, Colombia

Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), Ecuador

On Friday, April 25th, UI GreenMetric celebrated the spirit of Kartini—Indonesia’s pioneering advocate for women’s rights—by holding a special Instagram Live Discussion titled “Jejak Kartini Masa Kini: Kepemimpinan Perempuan di Dunia yang Berkelanjutan.” This event honored Kartini’s enduring legacy by amplifying the voices of modern-day Indonesian women who are shaping a more sustainable and equitable future through education, advocacy, and innovation. Moderated by Sabrina Hikmah, Coordinator of Program, Communication, and Partnership at UI GreenMetric, the session brought together three remarkable speakers: Prof. Dr. Sumarmi, M.Pd, Professor of Environmental Geography and Head of UM Green Campus; Dr. Susi Agustina Wilujeng, S.T., M.T., Head of the Environmental Engineering Department at the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) and member of ITS’s PPKS Task Force; and Ranitya Nurlita, an environmental consultant and Managing Director of WasteHub.id. The discussion centered on the evolving role of women in sustainability leadership, focusing on progress, persistent challenges, and the untapped potential of young women across sectors. All speakers acknowledged that while gender inclusion in sustainability has improved, significant work remains to ensure lasting structural change. Prof. Sumarmi shared that women’s innate strengths—such as humanism, empathy, and collaboration—are key assets in shaping future educators and building inclusive academic environments. She shared, “Our university is centered around education where students are positioned as future educators. The quality of women, which includes a nurturing sense of humanism and collaboration, can bridge the future generation toward a more just and sustainability-focused future.” This is reflected in various programs she leads that extend beyond the campus and engage society at large—such as Saber Pungli Kota Malang, Sahabat Mata Air, and climate change mitigation programs that involve communities outside the university. Ranitya Nurlita built on this perspective by highlighting the role of empathy and multitasking—qualities often associated with women—in designing effective environmental interventions. Using the example of domestic waste management, she stressed that policies need to reflect real-world struggles faced by women in their everyday lives. By acknowledging and integrating women’s experiences, solutions are appropriately targeted instead of being approached in a generalized manner. Dr. Susi Agustina Wilujeng offered an institutional view, illustrating how UI GreenMetric has supported universities like ITS in identifying areas for improvement. She noted that UI GreenMetric’s indicators provide a helpful framework for internal evaluation and strategic planning in sustainability. She further explained how ITS integrates social justice into its sustainability agenda, particularly through its Gender VOCAL Point initiative—an internal program ensuring that both women and men have equal access to leadership roles and decision-making opportunities. This reflects the university’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality, showing how institutional structures can be designed to support equity and sustainability together. As the discussion progressed, more ways for women to engage in sustainability became evident. Representing an NGO perspective, Ranitya shared how her organization WasteHub.id actively creates pathways for women to pursue green careers. She runs a WhatsApp community that circulates updates on green jobs, workshops, and professional development opportunities. For those looking to explore this path, she invited the audience to visit bit.ly/JoinGreenJobs. Throughout the event, what emerged was a clear and consistent message: women are already playing a central role in sustainability, but their leadership must continue to be recognized, supported, and expanded. Each speaker embodied the enduring spirit of Kartini—not only by advocating for gender equality but also by demonstrating that a sustainable future is best built through empathy, collaboration, and a sustained collective effort. UI GreenMetric remains committed to fostering ongoing dialogue and enriching discussions around sustainability, particularly within the context of higher education. Written by Riska Putri Hariyadi – Communication Specialist

The 3rd International Student Leaders Meeting on Sustainability (ISLMS 2025), held from 10–12 April 2025 in Szeged, Hungary, was a vibrant and inspiring gathering that united student-delegates, academics, and sustainability experts from across the globe. Hosted by the University of Szeged in collaboration with UI GreenMetric, the event brought together delegates from 27 countries and 57 universities, reflecting the shared global commitment to advancing sustainability in higher education and empowering the next generation of changemakers. Throughout the three-day agenda, ISLMS 2025 not only provided a platform for academic and policy exchange but also served as a space to unite brilliant minds from around the world while fostering mutual cultural understanding. The presence of student-delegates from diverse backgrounds enabled the sharing of unique perspectives and enriched dialogue—not only about sustainability practices but also about the value of cultural diversity and the importance of peace-driven global collaboration. The event offered a meaningful opportunity for participants to connect with Hungarian culture, strengthening cross-cultural ties and mutual appreciation—key elements in building lasting international partnerships. The meeting opened with inspiring remarks from key academic and institutional leaders. Prof. Zoltán Kónya, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs & Innovation, and Prof. Dr. Gábor Szabó, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Szeged, delivered welcoming addresses highlighting the role of universities as drivers of change in the sustainability movement. They were joined by Prof. Dr. Ir. Riri Fitri Sari, Chairperson of UI GreenMetric, who emphasized the importance of international collaboration and student engagement in shaping a sustainable future. Keynote speeches throughout the day offered powerful insights into pressing global issues. Dr. Csaba Janáky, Director of the National Laboratory for Renewable Energy, challenged popular assumptions in his talk “Renewable Energy: Myth, Hype, and Reality,” offering a balanced and science-driven view on the future of clean energy. Dr. Junaidi, Vice-Chair of Program, Communication, and Partnership at UI GreenMetric, followed with “Building a Greener Future: The Role of Students in Sustainability,” inspiring the audience to recognize their potential and responsibility in creating change. Prof. Dr. Ildikó Csóka, Director-General for Strategy at the University of Szeged, concluded the keynote session with “Responses to Global Challenges at the University of Szeged,” highlighting the university’s institutional strategy and long-term vision for sustainability. The afternoon program featured two in-depth panel discussions. The first, “Advancing Sustainability Competencies in Research and Education,” was moderated by Dr. Dénes Mátyás, Deputy Director for Sustainability at the University of Szeged. This session brought together interdisciplinary researchers from the host university—Prof. Zoltán Bajmócy, Dr. Tamás Gál, Dr. Csaba Janáky, Dr. József Maléth, and Dr. István Sisák—who shared how their work in economics, geospatial science, chemistry, medicine, and agriculture contributes to the sustainability agenda. The second panel, “Sustainability in Higher Education: Efforts, Challenges, Activities, and Best Practices,” also moderated by Dr. Mátyás, showcased innovative practices and institutional strategies from other Hungarian universities. Speakers included Dr. Katalin Ásványi from Corvinus University of Budapest, Dr. Levente Horváth from the Budapest University of Economics and Business, Brigitta Molnár-Ferenczik from the University of Pannonia, and Dr. Zsuzsa Piskóti-Kovács from Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, each highlighting their efforts in embedding sustainability into academic and administrative frameworks. ISLMS 2025 was more than a conference—it was a global platform for dialogue, learning, and action. It brought together diverse voices, forged new academic partnerships, and most importantly, empowered student-delegates as active contributors to sustainability leadership. The strong collaboration between the University of Szeged and UI GreenMetric laid the foundation for an inspiring and impactful event that will continue to resonate across campuses worldwide. A heartfelt thank you to the University of Szeged for their generous hospitality and outstanding efforts in hosting this meaningful event. Their leadership and dedication made ISLMS 2025 a truly memorable and impactful experience for all participants. Written by Riska P. Hariyadi - Communication Specialist Galleries  

On 9 April 2025, the Second International Innovation X.0 Forum, hosted by the University of Sharjah, brought together global thought leaders, educators, and innovators to explore the future of sustainability and innovation. With the theme "Towards a Sustainable and Innovative Future: From Education and Research Perspective," the forum emphasized the crucial role of education and research in driving sustainable change. One of the highlights of the forum was the keynote address delivered by the Chairperson of UI GreenMetric, titled "Sustainable Innovation with Blockchain: Reshaping Global Development for a Greener Economy." In her address, the Chairperson discussed how blockchain technology can contribute to sustainability efforts by improving transparency, reducing inefficiencies, and enabling more sustainable economic practices. She also highlighted the potential of blockchain to support a greener, more sustainable economy. In addition to the Chairperson's enriching keynote, the forum featured several other prominent speakers, including Dr. H.E. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Prof. Hany Moustapha, Prof. Tommaso Di Noia, and Prof. Qassim Nasir, who shared their insights on how education and research can foster sustainable development. Yousuf Alazizi, Abdelrahman Yousif Ahmed Alrousi Alhammadi, Walid AlRahmani, Eng. Mohamed Yousef Abdulla Mohamed Hasan, and Saleh Atatreh also provided valuable perspectives on innovation and sustainability, exploring emerging trends and solutions to the global environmental challenges we face today. The forum served as an invaluable platform for thought leaders, educators, and innovators to exchange ideas and explore creative solutions to address the pressing environmental challenges of today, paving the way for a more sustainable future. UI GreenMetric, dedicated to promoting sustainability within universities worldwide, continues to empower academic institutions to lead the way in integrating sustainable practices and innovations. The Chairperson’s participation underscored the organization's ongoing commitment to supporting global sustainability through collaboration, education, and research. Written by Riska P. Hariyadi - Communication Specialist of UI GreenMetric