Development Proposals for Implementing the 17 SDGs in Higher Education Institutions: Early Stages

Abstract

Universities, as key players in global development, have a vital role in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within their environments. However, measuring progress toward the SDGs poses methodological challenges due to the complex framework comprising 17 goals, 169 targets, and 247 indicators. Within the diverse landscape of university ranking systems, in 2019 emerged the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (THE IR) being so far the only ranking dedicated to evaluating the performance of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in relation to the SDGs. Despite its validation and participation, there are emerging issues, such as the need to consider local contexts and available resources. This study, originating from the Greek context, aims to serve as the initial stage in formulating a more practical and efficient assessment tool utilizing Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM/A), specifically by developing a streamlined set of indicators. Its primary objective is to introduce internationally applicable and unbiased indicators that can provide more accurate evaluations of universities’ progress, toward achieving the SDGs. To achieve this, various criteria were applied to an existing set of indicators, to determine their effectiveness in measuring SDG implementation. The findings of this analysis reveal the emergence of 34 indicators that meet the specified criteria.