On September 19, 2024, the UI GreenMetric Online Course on Sustainability officially launched for Team 3. This online course is a collaboration initiative by 17 universities, led by UI GreenMetric, in response to the growing need of solution to the sustainability challenges. The 17 universities are from various regions across Indonesia, including Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado, Universitas Diponegoro, Universitas Padjadjaran, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Telkom University, Universitas Pattimura, Universitas Palangka Raya, Universitas Lampung, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Institut Teknologi Nasional, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Pancasila, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Universitas Sriwijaya, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, and Universitas Sebelas Maret.
The event conducted virtually via Zoom, allowing participants from across Indonesia to take part. The online course began with opening remarks from Dr. Junaidi, Acting Chairperson of UI GreenMetric Indonesia. He emphasized the course's role as a platform for students and experts to exchange insights on sustainability issues. The curriculum is designed to analyze real case studies, enhancing participants’ understanding of current environmental challenges in Indonesia. He also encouraged students to support one another throughout the course, highlighting that this initiative offers more than just knowledge sharing; it’s a valuable opportunity to network and forge lasting friendships with peers from diverse universities.
Representatives from the 17 participating universities expressed their hope that the course would not only yield tangible solutions but also deepen students' understanding of sustainability. Their collective effort as part of the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking network underscores a commitment to partnering for a greener future. By collaborating on this initiative, these institutions aim to enhance sustainability practices across Indonesia and contribute to global environmental efforts.
The event then featured Drs. Suparto, M.Pd, the Academic Coordinator, who provided a comprehensive overview of the course syllabus, materials, key dates, and the Moodle platform. He emphasized the importance of balancing social progress, environmental preservation, and economic growth to achieve true sustainability.
The highlight of the first week was a session on the Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals, presented by Dr. Dyah Rahmawati Hizbaron from Universitas Gadjah Mada. She discussed the SDGs from a geographical perspective, stressing the necessity of sustainable practices to meet the demands of a growing global population. Dr. Dyah also underscored the importance of ongoing research and learning in tackling sustainability challenges.
The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where students actively participated, demonstrating their enthusiasm for sustainability. Following this, participants moved into breakout rooms to introduce themselves and delve deeper into discussions about their perspectives on these vital issues.
This launch marked a significant step in empowering students as agents of change. Team 3 and the other online course teams will embark on an exciting learning experience over the next three months. We invite you to join us on this journey toward a sustainable future for next year’s batch. To learn more about UI GreenMetric and how you can get involved, visit our website and social media to explore our initiatives!
Written by Salsabila R. Rahmarizi – Communication Intern Editor: Riska P. Hariyadi