On 24 October 2024, Russian universities united in their commitment to sustainability during the 8th National Workshop on UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, held at RUDN University. This event served as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among sustainability representatives from various institutions.
The workshop commenced with an inspiring opening ceremony featuring welcome speeches from key figures in the field. Prof. Vladimir Filippov, President of RUDN University, and Prof. Elena Savenkova, Director of the Institute of Environmental Engineering, welcomed attendees and underscored the importance of sustainability in higher education. They were joined by Prof. Dr. Ir. Riri Fitri Sari, Chairperson of UI GreenMetric, who emphasized the global role of universities in advancing sustainable practices.
Following the opening remarks, the first session focused on the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, moderated by Margarita Redina, a professor at RUDN University. Dr. Junaidi, joining virtually from Turkey, provided insights into the UI GreenMetric indicators and the data submission process, while Dr. Margarita Redina updated participants on the Russian National Network’s developments for 2024. This session concluded with a signing of the Declaration of Membership for the UI GreenMetric Network, symbolizing a collective commitment to sustainability.
The subsequent sessions delved into specific themes relevant to Russian universities. The second session, also moderated by Margarita Redina, explored the management of infrastructure, energy, climate change, waste, and transportation. Speakers included Timur Shiyapov and Aleksandr Marusin, who presented RUDN University’s experience with an innovative sustainability calculator, and Anna Sivkova from Yugra University, who discussed the institution's ESG agenda. Alla Khutorova from the State University for Land Use Management shared her insights on the ecologization of university practices.
The third session shifted focus to the management of education and research for sustainability. Dr. Qamar from Lahore University discussed an evolving topic, while Anna Matveeva from Volgograd State University emphasized the significance of environmental education in developing human capital. Tilekova Zhanna, from Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, highlighted the ecologization of educational processes in Kazakhstan.
An open discussion session provided attendees an opportunity to share their insights and identify thematic priority activities for the UI GreenMetric Russian National Network. This interactive platform showcased the shared commitment among universities to tackle sustainability challenges collaboratively.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from RUDN University, Prof. Dr. Riri Fitri Sari, and Dr. Junaidi, who reiterated the importance of collective efforts in advancing sustainability in higher education.
This event marked a significant milestone in fostering a network of Russian universities committed to sustainability, reinforcing their roles as leaders in addressing global environmental challenges. The ongoing dialogue and collaborative initiatives inspired by the workshop are expected to strengthen the commitment to a greener future across the region.
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Written by Riska P. Hariyadi
