Mapúa IGS - Programs and Partnerships

INTRODUCTION OF THE “SDG CHAMPIONS”
September 29, 2025
1:30-2:30 pm; MS Teams Meeting

As Mapúa University recognizes that advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a shared commitment of its academic schools, administrative offices, research centers,
student organizations, and community-facing units, the Institute for Global Sustainability’s (IGS) Director, Dr. Lawrence Madriaga, spearheaded an online meeting with the University’s department heads for the core purpose of establishing an internal campus partnership called, “The SDG Champions.”

This new organization will serve as the springboard for all SDG-related programs and initiatives, with IGS overseeing these collective efforts. IGS serves as the overall coordinator, facilitator,  and consolidator of activities, performance indicators, and progress reports across the university. It also ensures alignment with global sustainability frameworks, monitors institutional outcomes, and provides guidance on policy, collaboration, and program development. By coordinating across departments, IGS supports synergy, avoids duplication of efforts, and strengthens the coherence of Mapúa’s sustainability agenda.

To sustain progress toward institutional SDG alignment, each department is envisioned to serve as an SDG Champion, guiding sustainability-driven activities that reflect its discipline,  competencies, and community engagement strengths. Academic departments may lead in research, instruction, and innovation aligned with specific SDGs, while service and administrative units may advance programs in governance, environmental management, health promotion, operational sustainability, culture building, and inclusive participation. Student organizations, meanwhile, contribute through awareness campaigns, volunteer initiatives, peer-led advocacy, and capacity building. Together, these units form a distributed stewardship model where sustainability becomes an embedded practice throughout teaching, learning, service, and campus life.

This collaborative structure positions Mapúa University not only to demonstrate SDG compliance, but also to lead through innovation, student empowerment, and community partnerships—moving sustainability from isolated initiatives toward a unified and strategic university-wide culture.

Key players of the SDG Champions:

SDG	CHAMPIONS						Group Leader	Proposed Focus Areas
	SOCIP	ETYSB	STHM				STHM	Community outreach, livelihood programs, volunteerism
	SOCIP	CDMO					SOCIP
	SOM	SON	SOHS	Health Services	CBMES	Student Organizations	Health Services	Student-led sustainability campaigns, Pollution Reduction, Green Chemistry, Preventive Health
	Academic Affairs (all schools)	CTL	IdCALL	DELTA	AIIO		CTL	Research-Driven Solutions, Media Literacy, EdTech, AI
	HR	CDMO	CGC	SHS	SOM	SFSE	CGC	Inclusive Healthcare, Access Equity
	CDMO	CEGE	CBMES				CDMO	Water resources, flood control
	CDMO	MME	EECE				MME	Renewable energy, smart grids
	SOCIP	HR	ETY	IE-EMG	MICRO		ETY	Sustainable business, entrepreneurship
	EECE	SOIT	CEGE	MICRO/ITSO	ArIDBE	CDMO	EECE	Resilient Infrastructure, Sustainable Electronics, Cybersecurity
	CDMO	HR	Library	OSAAR	SoMDA		OSAAR	Social Inclusion, Access Equity (education, healthcare), Inclusive Communications
	CDMO	ARIDBE	EECE	SOIT	MME	CBMES	ARIDBE	Sustainable Urban Planning, Sustainable Architecture, Waste Management, Renewable Energy Adoption
	CDMO	IE-EMG	ARIDBE				IE-EMG	Heritage Conservation, EWaste Management
	CDMO	CEGE	CBMES	IGS	Student Organizations		IGS	Low Carbon Technologies, Pollution Reduction, Green Campus Operations, Peer Education and Youth Leadership
	SOCIP	CEGE					CEGE	Volunteerism, Microplastics
	SOCIP	ETYSB	IE-EMG	CEGE	CBMES	ARIDBE	CBMES	Ecological Design
	HR	SOCIP	Legal Affairs				HR	Advocacy Campaigns, Technology-based Good Governance Systems
	Academic Affairs (all schools)	ILRAD	SOCIP	IGS	Student Organizations		ILRAD	Industry Partnerships, Global Collaborations, Interuniversity Partnerships, External Linkages
*IGS is overall coordinator and consolidator of SDG initiatives

In a significant step towards fostering environmental consciousness and sustainable development, Mapúa University has introduced a mandatory Sustainability Course across all its academic programs starting in the Academic Year 2024-25. This initiative reflects the university’s unwavering commitment to promoting sustainability and raising awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education. By incorporating sustainability education, Mapúa University equips students with essential knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to address global challenges, shaping them into informed and responsible individuals.

This initiative resonates deeply with Mapúa University’s vision of becoming a global leader in education, driving sustainable socioeconomic growth through innovation, digital transformation, and lifelong education. The Sustainability Course is a pivotal element of this vision, providing
students with the tools to tackle pressing environmental challenges and actively contribute to a sustainable future.

Course Offerings and Structure

The new (2024 – 2025) curricula will feature three key courses designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles and practices:

1. Environmental Engineering and Sustainability Science: This multidisciplinary course offers students immersive learning of environmental engineering and sustainability science that covers foundational knowledge, case studies, and practical activities to explore the complex interactions between humans and the natural environment.
2. Environmental Science and Sustainability: This course provides an overview of environmental science principles and their application to sustainability challenges. It combines theoretical concepts with practical examples and case studies to help students sustainably understand and address environmental issues.
3. Sustainability Management: This course focuses on the principles, strategies, and tools necessary for managing sustainability initiatives within organizations. It includes theoretical principles, case studies, and practical applications, preparing students to integrate sustainability into business operations and decision-making processes.

Environmental Engineering and Sustainability Science is designed for all engineering programs, Environmental Science and Sustainability is intended for non-engineering programs, and Sustainability Management is developed for Business programs.

Supporting the SDGs

The inclusion of the Sustainability Course is a strategic move to support the SDGs other than SDG4. This inclusion indirectly supports SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by educating students on sustainable practices, SDG 13: Climate Action by raising awareness about environmental issues and inspiring action, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals as sustainability education usually involves collaboration across disciplines and institutions. This holistic approach will enable students to understand the interconnectedness of global challenges and their role in addressing them.

Empowering Future Leaders

By embedding sustainability into the curriculum, Mapúa University aims to empower its students to become future ambassadors of sustainable development. The courses will not only provide theoretical knowledge but also practical applications, encouraging students to engage in projects
and initiatives that promote sustainability on campus and beyond. This experiential learning approach will help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for dealing with real-world sustainability issues.

A Step Towards a Greener Future

Mapúa University’s decision to include a Sustainability Course in all programs is a significant step towards fostering a culture of sustainability within the academic community. It reflects the university’s proactive stance in preparing students to be responsible global citizens who are aware
of their impact on the environment and society. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, initiatives like this are crucial in driving positive change and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

With this initiative, Mapúa University not only enhances the curricula of its academic offerings but also reinforces its role as a leader in promoting sustainable development in the Philippines and beyond. The university’s commitment to the SDGs and its efforts to integrate sustainability
into education may serve as an inspiring model for other institutions to follow.

In a groundbreaking move that underscores its commitment to environmental stewardship, Mapúa University, through the recommendation of the Mapúa Institute for Global Sustainability (MIGS) and Social Orientation and Community Involvement Program (SOCIP), has included tree planting and growing as a major requirement for its National Service Training Program (NSTP) course across all curricula, starting Academic Year 2024-2025. This initiative is not just a nod to the university’s dedication to sustainability but also a bold step toward aligning its educational framework with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The program mandates that every student plants and nurtures a tree as part of their NSTP course requirements. However, this is no one-time activity. Students are required to monitor and report on the growth and health of their trees until their graduation. This innovative scheme ensures that the act of planting is not merely symbolic but a sustained effort that fosters a deeper connection between students and the environment.

This new NSTP requirement builds on the university’s existing sustainability programs. By integrating tree planting into the NSTP course, Mapúa aims to instill a culture of environmental responsibility among its students, preparing them to be proactive contributors to global sustainability efforts.

The program directly supports SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land, SDG 4: Quality Education, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Trees play a pivotal role in achieving these goals by mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration, enhancing biodiversity by providing habitats for various species, and contributing to environmental education by serving as living laboratories for learning. By educating students on the
importance of reforestation and biodiversity, the university is not only addressing environmental challenges but also empowering its students to be agents of change.

A Learning Experience Beyond the Classroom

What sets this program apart is its emphasis on long-term engagement. Students learn about the science of tree growth, the ecological benefits of reforestation, and the role of trees in combating climate change. Regular updates on their trees’ progress are documented through a digital platform, creating a living archive of their contributions to the environment.

This hands-on approach transforms the NSTP from a theoretical exercise into a practical, impactful experience. It also provides students with a sense of ownership and accountability, as they witness the tangible results of their efforts over time.

A Model for the Future

Mapúa University’s initiative is a shining example of how educational institutions can play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges. By integrating sustainability into its curriculum, the university is not only enhancing the educational experience but also contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

As the first batch of students embarks on this journey in 2024, they are not only planting trees but also sowing the seeds of a more sustainable world. As these trees grow, so too will the legacy of Mapúa University as a leader in sustainability education.

This is more than just a program—it’s a movement. And it all starts with a single seed or sapling.