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On 18 October 2023, the º£½ÇÉçÇø SDG Universities Platform (SDG-UP) held its 2023 Interim Report Meeting and the 28th workshop, engaging by 54 participants from 22 universities across Japan. 

Opening the meeting, Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi (Director, º£½ÇÉçÇø-IAS) reported on her participation in the 2023 . She noted the increasing interest in the role of higher education and emphasized that she will continue to actively publicize the discussions of SDG-UP at international conferences.

Working Group on Management

The group discussed what university management should aim for in order to achieve the SDGs. The three fundamental elements in university management are the formulation of the university's own SDG vision, the establishment of a promotion organization, and securing a budget. Case studies were presented by Hiroshima University, Sophia Gakuin University and Hokkaido University.

Working Group on SDGs Curriculum

The group introduced new teaching materials for the "Introduction to the UN SDGs" online course and discussed its implementation, as well as the use of JV Campus (Japan Virtual Campus) as a management server. 

Working Group on University Evaluation and Accountability

The group presented the results of a questionnaire on the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings conducted among SDG-UP participating universities. Discussing current sustainability trends at universities around the world and in Japan, the group highlighted the use of AI technology for advanced data analysis.

Working Group on Sustainable Campus

Newly launched in 2023, this group will focus on activities on campus and in the local community to strengthen their efforts for sustainability. The group will work in four areas: governance, education and research, environment and energy, and  local community collaboration. Case studies were presented by Ryukoku University and Osaka University.

Participating Universities

This workshop engaged 22 participating universities, which are listed below in alphabetical order.

• Ehime University

• Hiroshima University

• Hokkaido University

• International Christian University

• International University of Japan

• Kanagawa University

• Keio Gijuku University

• Kwansei gakuin University

• Okayama University

• Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University

• Osaka Metropolitan University

• Osaka University

• Ryukoku University

• Showa University of Music

• Soka University

• Sophia University

• Tokai University

• Tokyo Institute of Technology

• Tokyo University of Science

• Toyo University

• The University of Kitakyushu

• University of Tsukuba