Sustainable development, external engagement, and internationalisation goals

Background

The University of Borås is to be the sustainable higher education institution – the university as an institution and as a physical location is to contribute to sustainable development locally and in the world and reduce the negative footprint of its own operations. Our sustainable development goals are intended to fulfil the university's vision statement and the university’s overall goals (Reg. no. 601-20). The university-wide goals outlined in this document are aimed at providing good conditions for the development of education and research within the framework of the university’s two overall goals.

Our sustainability work takes as its basis our Sustainable Development Policy, which describes the university's task of equipping students with abilities and knowledge that prepares them to contribute to a sustainable society in their professions. Furthermore, priority is given to research on sustainable development characterised by multidisciplinary approaches, innovative thinking, and collaboration with society locally and globally. Within the framework of scientific and artistic freedom, there is a responsibility to contribute to a sustainable future through knowledge development and problematisation. As an organisation with a management system certified in accordance with ISO 14001, the university conducts systematic work to reduce the direct environmental impact from its operations and to contribute to social responsibility. The policy also highlights the commitments that the university has through formulations in, among other things, the Swedish Higher Education Act and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These are reinforced by the fact that from 2020, according to public service agreements, Sweden's higher education institutions will annually describe how their operations are developed to promote sustainable development and how this is linked to environmental management work as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development goals.

In addition, the University of Borås has joined the Climate Framework for Higher Education Institutions, which means that its operations are to be in line with the Paris Agreement's 1.5 C warming limit by 2030. The university's vision statement and overall goals highlight the importance of jointly taking responsibility for the future and contributing to sustainable development characterised by gender equality and global perspectives. Grounded in the work already done at the University of Borås, further steps will be taken in further developing, broadening, and deepening the work for sustainable development. Acting as an example in achieving a healthy and good environment, economic and social welfare, as well as justice, is a very important area of responsibility for the university and is central to the university's credibility as a sustainable higher education institution.

University-wide sustainable development goals

• The University of Borås integrates sustainable development and Agenda 2030 into education and research within the framework of each subject and competence area.
• The University of Borås is characterised by sustainable use of resources internally and in relation to society. The work is based on commitment from management, employees, and students.

Strategic direction to achieve the sustainable development goals

Operations-specific strategies are formulated by the Faculties, the unit of Professional Services, and other units with the aim of concretising and putting into practice the university's goals and strategies. The sustainable development goals require that the university’s various units, based on Agenda 2030 and other relevant documents, formulate activity-specific strategies on how each unit both integrates and contributes to sustainable development. The work also includes clarifying whether there are conflicting goals and, if so, how this is handled through division of responsibilities and follow-up. Activities within the framework of the university's goals and strategies are planned and followed up on systematically within the relevant management processes. Follow-up procedures rely upon a combination of indicators and qualitative descriptions.

Our external engagement goals are intended to fulfil the university's vision statement and the university’s overall goals (Reg. no. 601-20). The university-wide goals outlined in this document are aimed at providing good conditions for the development of education and research within the framework of the university’s two overall goals.

University-wide external engagement goals

Collaboration and engagement with the rest of society, as well as good relations with external parties, is of mutual value and a prerequisite for the University of Borås to be able to take an active role for knowledge-based social development.

Work in this area aims to strengthen the university's relevance, attractiveness, and quality development. Responsible and mutual collaboration work creates the conditions for making the University of Borås distinct and contributes to the continued work to develop complete academic environments.

• The University of Borås is recognised for having diverse and high-quality interactions with society at large, leading to a strong connection to professions and working life in our educational programmes as well as the quality and social relevance of our education and research.
• The University of Borås is an active part in society's long-term knowledge development and renewal and works with a diversity of collaboration partners for the utilisation of education and research.

Operations-specific strategies are formulated by the Faculties, the unit of Professional Services, and other units with the aim of concretising and putting into practice the university's goals and strategies.

Activities within the framework of the university's goals and strategies are planned and followed up on systematically within the relevant management processes. Follow-up procedures rely upon a combination of indicators and qualitative descriptions.

Our internationalisation goals are intended to fulfil the university's vision statement and the university’s overall goals (Reg. no. 601-20). The university-wide goals outlined in this document are aimed at providing good conditions for the development of education and research within the framework of the university’s two overall goals.

Internationalisation is a prerequisite for the University of Borås to be an attractive higher education institution with complete academic environments. Cross-border collaboration is one of the greatest forces influencing and shaping higher education to meet the global challenges we face. Systematic internationalisation work contributes to high quality in research and education at the University of Borås.

University-wide internationalisation goals

• The University of Borås is an internationally attractive higher education institution where internationalisation contributes to high quality education and research.
• The University of Borås is an active partner in international knowledge development, which equips students and employees to contribute to sustainable development.

Operations-specific strategies are formulated by the Faculties, the unit of Professional Services, and other units with the aim of concretising and putting into practice the university's goals and strategies.

Activities within the framework of the university's goals and strategies are planned and followed up on systematically within the relevant management processes. Follow-up procedures rely upon a combination of indicators and qualitative descriptions.