Melbourne named among most socially sustainable universities in Australasia and the Pacific

At the 18th annual Asia Pacific Higher Education Summit held in Jakarta in November, the University of Melbourne was named in the top three most socially sustainable universities in Australasia and APEC in the inaugural QS Sustainability Rankings.

The QS Certificates of Recognition awards showcase how universities are taking action to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance challenges, and award the performance of those that can best demonstrate expertise in driving sustainable development.

University of Melbourne Associate Director of Institutional Research Rosie Williams accepted the award, saying: “I’m proud to accept this recognition of the University of Melbourne’s ongoing commitment to making a positive impact on the world in promoting socially sustainable practices."

“Sustainability lies at the heart of the University of Melbourne ambition as outlined in our Advancing Melbourne 2030 strategy,” Ms Williams said.

“We do this through the work undertaken by our professional staff and alumni, the research we conduct, and the education we deliver to our students to promote social and environmental sustainability.”

Ms Williams said that the recognition received from organisations such as Quacquarelli Symonds only serves to further drive the University’s resolve to  solving the complex problems facing the world, and continuing to improve its performance in relation to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those with a focus on social and environmental aspects.

“Our purpose, as articulated in Advancing Melbourne, is to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research,” Ms Williams said.

“One of the most direct and influential ways we can achieve this is through the work we do in promoting and advancing effective, socially sustainable attitudes and practices.”