sustainability strategy - Swinburne University of Technology

Sustainability at Swinburne
The Vision
Swinburne will embrace sustainability
across all its dimensions. With the objective
of making sustainability at Swinburne a key
driver in all behaviours, future planning and
service delivery outcomes, this Strategy will
be a catalyst for drawing together existing
and emerging endeavours in sustainability
at Swinburne.
“‘Sustainability’ implies that the critical
activities of a [tertiary] institution are
ecologically sound, socially just and
economically viable, and that they will
continue to be so for future generations.
A truly sustainable university would
emphasise these concepts in its curriculum
and research, preparing students to
contribute as working citizens to an
environmentally healthy and equitable
society. The institution would function
as a sustainable community, embodying
responsible consumption of energy, water,
and food, and supporting sustainable
development in its local community
and region.” 1
Sustainability thinking represents an
emerging mode of inquiry which questions
and seeks to understand whether any
current product, process or system can
be continued indefinitely into the future
from the perspective of ecological, social
and economic viability and risk.
At Swinburne we will adopt this definition
of ‘sustainability’ and apply it to our
Strategy and to the associated initiatives.
Implementing the Vision
The Swinburne Vision, Outcomes and
Targets for the Sustainability Strategy focus
on six interdependent priority directions with
the aim of delivering University cohesiveness
and consistency in effort and performance.
Goal 1
Culture and Stewardship
To draw on the leadership, commitment and knowledge of the University and broader
community to create a working, learning and research culture which is the benchmark
in sustainability for all education providers globally.
Goal 2
Teaching and Learning
To ensure that the design, delivery and promotion of our education programs develop
appropriate discipline-specific expertise, skills and attributes in our graduates that
assist them to contribute to a sustainable future, within the context of their particular
career, profession or trade.
Goal 3
Research
To ensure that Faculties and Schools undertake research in a sustainable manner
and establish research areas that contribute to sustainability globally.
Goal 4
People Development
To build a positive enabling culture that embraces sustainability in curriculum,
research and the work place.
Goal 5
Social and Community Sustainability
To maximise our dual sector strengths to create a transformational model for community
and sustainable educational partnerships which embraces social inclusion and diversity.
Goal 6
Business and Environmental Sustainability
To be an efficient, effective and sustainable organisation.
The six priority areas are:
■■
Culture and Stewardship
■■
Teaching and Learning
■■
Research
■■
People Development
■■
Social and Community Sustainability
■■
Business and Environmental
Sustainability
4
1 University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF) and associated Tailloires Declaration