SDG 17 • Partnerships for the Goals

Strengthening Global and Local Partnerships for Sustainable Development

The University of the Philippines fosters strong partnerships with government, industry, academe, and civil society to advance the nation’s sustainability goals—bridging research, innovation, and inclusive growth through collaboration.

Indicator 17.2.1 Relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy

The University of the Philippines (UP) recognizes the importance of nurturing relevant and meaningful relationships with government and non-government organizations in pursuit of inclusive development through the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • UP Visayas and the Iloilo Provincial Government signed agreements on August 15, 2024 for two collaborative projects focusing on sustainable food systems and mass production of seaweeds. The partnership aims to strengthen research and cooperation toward achieving the development goals of the province.
  • UP Open University and the Japan Foundation Manila formalized its partnership on August 8, 2024 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding. A key component of the partnership is the strengthening of training programs to address the need for qualified Japanese language teachers in the Philippines. Other areas of cooperation include joint research projects and lectures, participation in seminars and academic meetings, exchange of published educational materials and other information, trans- and cross-cultural endeavors, and special joint short-term academic programs.
  • As part of its thrust on providing research and extension service, UP Diliman partnered with Batanes State College and the Provincial Government of Batanes for the research group, Batanes Tourism and Hospitality Monitoring Center. These activities generated necessary data on sustainability issues and concerns intended to help guide policymakers and other stakeholders. This collaboration was instrumental in Batanes’s inclusion in the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories. The Batanes Islands Observatory 2024 Annual Report contains data, statistics, and metrics related to the province’s economic, socio-cultural, and environmental sustainability. This comprehensive collection of data is intended to empower stakeholders in making informed decisions for the island’s future.
Science-Policy Forum Proposes Policy Initiatives for Albay Community Resilience Researchers and local stakeholders discussed findings on impact visualizations, multi-hazard and probabilistic risk assessments, land cover change and landscape fragmentation analysis, and its implications on local policies on climate change and multi-stressed scenarios at the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research Science-Policy Forum at the sidelines of the 4th International Conference on Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management on November 22, 2023 at the Century Park Hotel Manila. The forum was hosted by the project team of Resilience-building and Future-proofing Strategies in a Multi-stressed Scenario in the Province of Albay, Philippines, which is under the UP Los Baños (UPLB) Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management. Dr. Maricel T. Villamayor, associate professor at the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources, proposed that local government units should prioritize enhancing environmental integrity, strictly enforce solid waste management, implement strategies to reduce siltation, and engage in communication, education, and public awareness campaigns to alter community perceptions and knowledge. UP Resilience Institute specialists recommended the use of probabilistic multi-hazard maps and multi-hazard assessment in city planning. They highlighted the importance of science-based information and nature-based solutions in designing communities and infrastructures. They also recommended the application of the systems approach for natural resource management. Carlos V. Cortez, Jr., associate professor at Bicol University, emphasized the many hazards present in Albay and encouraged scholars in the region to conduct more research in the Quinali A watershed through co-learning and co-development with UPLB. Francisco E. Milla, Jr., regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 5, affirmed the department is prioritizing activities geared toward the conservation and preservation of ecosystems. Dr. Rommel V. Negrete, president of the Local Association of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices in Albay, highlighted their efforts to ensure science-based disaster risk reduction and management to achieve safer, greener, sustainable, adaptive, all-inclusive, and disaster-resilient Albay communities.
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Indicator 17.2.2 Cross sectoral dialogue about SDGs

The University of the Philippines (UP) engages in activities that highlight cross-sectoral dialogue in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This ensures inclusivity that runs across many sectors and ultimately emphasizes the necessity of cooperation in working toward the achievement of the SDGs.

  • UP Open University led the opening of the 2024 International Forum on Sustainability Science on July 10 at Caraga State University (CSU). This forum was a collaborative activity involving CSU, Department of Science and Technology Region XIII, UP Resilience Institute, and other partners from the academe, government, and private sectors.

UP Los Baños Hosts International Meeting on Collaborative Action for Regional Sustainability

The School of Environmental Science and Management of UP Los Baños, with Future Earth Water-Energy-Food Nexus Knowledge-Action Network, and Asia Hub, co-organized the 2023 Monsoon Asia Integrated Research for Sustainability-Future Earth Scientific Steering Committee Meeting and Side Events on November 16 to 17, 2023 at the Century Park Hotel, Manila.

Academic leaders and experts, and representatives from the Center of Excellence for Soil Research in Asia, Indian Institute of Science, Institut Pertanian Bogor University, Michigan State University, National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines, Peking University, PIAREA Institute, University of Information and Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, and UPLB discussed how they can collaborate and collectively address critical sustainability challenges prevalent across the Asian region.

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Indicator 17.2.3 International collaboration data gathering for SDG

In pursuit of a broader and deeper appreciation of the work toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the University of the Philippines (UP) engages in international activities that promote collaborations and exchanges in data gathering and information sharing. UP Los Baños Joins 2023 SDG Impact Week at National Central University, Taiwan The delegation from the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) of UP Los Baños (UPLB) participated in the 2023 SDG Impact Week held at National Central University, Taiwan. The week-long assembly of experts from seven countries in Asia promoted collaboration on impact measurement and management, and sustainability leadership with the aim of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The SESAM team was also joined by representatives from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development and the UPLB College of Economics and Management. UP Asian Center Welcomes Brunei Ambassador Her Excellency Megawati Dato Paduka Haji Manan, ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Philippines, visited the Asian Center (AC), UP Diliman (UPD) on October 6, 2023, highlighting the embassy’s interest in partnering with the UP. With the ambassador was Third Secretary Fardella binti Md Eusoff. Different areas of possible institutional collaboration were discussed: student, researcher, and faculty visits and exchanges; exploration of social science research collaborations; conduct of lectures; and academic collaboration on the study of biodiversity. UP was represented by the deans of AC and School of Library and Information Studies; the directors of UP Film Institute, Institute of Biology, and UPD Office of International Linkages (OIL); the deputy director of UP System OIL; and faculty members of the Asian Center. UP Open University Signs Agreements with Educational Institutions UP Open University (UPOU) and Anadolu University, Turkiye agreed to explore opportunities for institutional cooperation through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on September 30, 2023. Its scope includes exchange of faculty, research scholars, and students; joint research activities and lectures; participation in seminars and academic meetings; exchange of published academic materials and other information; and special short-term academic programs. UPOU had already signed a similar agreement in May 2023 with Wawasan Open University, Malaysia. In November of the same year, it entered into the same agreement with the Bard College Center for Environmental Policy, New York. In October 2023, UPOU inked a cooperation agreement with Indonesian Online Learning Development Consortium. The scope of the agreement includes provision of online learning materials and utilization of facilities and infrastructure of the Indonesia Online Learning Development Unit (Indonesia Cyber Education Institute) and utilization of online educational content in UPOU’s platform for its massive open online courses, Massive Open Distance eLearning.
References
  • UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management. (2023, December 13). The SESAM delegation led by its Dean, Dr. Rico C. Ancog participated in 2023 SDG Impact Week which is a groundbreaking [Image attached]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=863308875590423&set=pcb.863309128923731
  • Asian Center. (2023, November 3). UP Asian Center welcomed Brunei Ambassador to PH at AC. University of the Philippines Diliman, Asian Center. https://ac.upd. edu.ph/index.php/news-announcements/3278-up-asian-center-welcomed-brunei-ambassador-to-ph-at-ac
  • Valenciano, N. (2023, October 3). Strengthening global connections: UPOU and Anadolu University sign MOU. University of the Philippines Open University. https://www.upou.edu.ph/news/strengthening-global-connections-upou-and-anadolu-university-sign-mou/
  • Valenciano, N. (2023, May 24). UPOU strengthens its linkages through MOU signing with Wawasan Open University. University of the Philippines Open University. https://www.upou.edu.ph/news/strengthening-global-connections-upou-and-anadolu-university-sign-mou/
  • Cooperation agreement between Indonesian Online Learning Development Consortium and the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) on utilization of online learning system at Indonesia Cyber Education Institute (ICE Institute) and the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU). (2023, November 8).
  • Memorandum of understanding between University of the Philippines Open University and BARD CEP Center for Environmental Policy. (2023, November 8).

Indicator 17.2.4 Collaboration for SDG best practice

The University of the Philippines (UP) is intent on working with different local and international organizations to learn about and analyze various approaches to help develop best practices in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals.

  • Four members of the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Fisheries Division visited the UP Visayas on June 4, 2024 for potential collaboration on various research projects that advance sustainable and productive research.
  • Faculty, staff, and students of UP Open University (UPOU) participated in the 4th Passion for Scholarship and Love for Mission International Conference for Teacher Education and Formation hosted by the College of Education of the University of Santo Tomas, in partnership with the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Saint Louis University, and UPOU Faculty of Education on May 4, 2024. The conference theme was “Beyond Vision: Embracing Change for Transformative Teacher Education.”

PH-Canada Network for Sustainability Launches Satellite Office in UP Los Baños

The Philippines-Canada Network for Sustainability (PCNS), a network of higher education institutions aiming to pioneer sustainability-centered microcredentialing activities as an affordable and accessible way to upskill in the 21st century, launched its satellite office at UP Los Baños (UPLB) on September 27, 2023.

Formed by the Commission on Higher Education as an off-shoot of the Partnership Study Mission during the Canadian Bureau for International Education Conference held the previous year in Toronto, Canada, PCNS founding members are: UPLB, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Far Eastern University, Northern Bukidnon State College, Panpacific University, Romblon State University, Tarlac State University, Manila Times College of Subic, Universidad De Dagupan Inc., University of Southern Mindanao, World Citi Colleges (WCC), and WCC Aeronautical and Technological College.

New member institutions of the PCNS are: Laguna State Polytechnic University, Lapulapu-Cebu International College, Mabalacat City College, Mindoro State University, Miriam College, Philippine State College of Aeronautics, and University of Eastern Philippines.

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Indicator 17.2.5 Collaboration with NGOs for SDGs

The University of the Philippines (UP) further solidified linkages with local and international non-government organizations.

  • UP Open University (UPOU) and the Japan Foundation Manila signed a memorandum of understanding on August 8, 2024. The partnership focused on joint research activities and lectures, participation in seminars and academic meetings, exchange of published educational materials and other information, trans- and cross-cultural endeavors, and special joint short-term academic programs.

UP Open University Explores Collaboration on Rights of Nature Campaign

UPOU, through its Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), continues to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by collaborating with non-government organizations to promote environmental education and sustainable practices.

On July 4, 2024, FMDS hosted an exploratory meeting with the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) at UPOU Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna. Then FMDS Dean Joane Serrano welcomed the PMPI delegation led by National Coordinator Yolanda Esguerra, Deputy Coordinator Candy Hidalgo, and staff member Raevene Morillo. Joining them were FMDS faculty and staff, including Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores, Senior Lecturer and permaculture expert; Dona Lyn Piamonte, University Extension Associate II; and Raizza Anna Alforja, Research Support Staff.

During the discussion, several areas for collaboration were identified, including the development of Massive Open Online Courses on the Rights of Nature, the creation of learning resources and case studies for environmental education, and the implementation of community-based permaculture gardens under the UPOU-FMDS Earth Ambassadors Project.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to draft a memorandum of agreement to formalize the partnership and to hold follow-up meetings on course and module development.

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Indicators 17.3.1 – 17.3.17 Publication of SDG reports

The University of the Philippines (UP) strengthened global and local partnerships through consistent and continual publishing of academic research and reports which contribute to the realization of various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The most prominent evidence for Metric 17.3 is the UP Mindanao (UPMin) Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, which highlights its initiatives, events, and research articles under each SDG. UP also met the indicators through the following:

  • SDG 1 – No Poverty
    • UP Cebu published an article on May 2, 2024 about “Pasasalamat: Recognition of Donors 2024,” an event that the constituent university held on April 19 of the same year, to recognize its donors and benefactors, whose support helped shape the university and empower its students with better funding.
    • UP Visayas (UPV) published four journal articles under SDG 1, correlating secure and sustainable environments to eradicate poverty.
  • SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
    • UPV published a variety of journal articles that tackle SDG 2. These include studies on aquaculture, the impact of specific fishing practices, nutritional evaluations of mussels, pen shell identification, transmittance properties of coffee leaves, cacao fungi research, among others.
  • SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
    • UP School of Economics professor Joseph Capuno, along with scholars from the Netherlands and Switzerland, published an article that sheds light on how body weight relates to Filipinos’ perceived well-being. The research found no strong evidence that higher body mass index is associated with lower quality of life. However, the authors concluded that many Filipinos at risk of obesity-related diseases may not perceive themselves as unhealthy, which poses challenges for prevention programs. The authors thus recommend that health campaigns emphasize the hidden risks of excessive weight. 
    • During the reporting period, UPV published 12 journal articles and book publications, focusing on the topics of public health and social sciences, ecological health and sustainability, and biomedicine and biotechnology. 
  • SDG 4 – Quality Education
    • The Philippine Center for Economic Development (PCED), a supporting center for the UP Diliman (UPD) School of Economics, published its 2024 annual report to mark PCED’s 50 years of continued efforts toward quality education.
    • The UPD Asian Center (AC) had an educational exchange with Osaka University under the Osaka University International Certificate Program held from March 14 to 20, 2024, which marked a significant milestone in AC’s Japan Studies program.
    • UP Open University (UPOU) published University of the Future: Perspectives, Transformations, and Sustainability in 2024. It documents the constituent university’s ideation of the “University of the Future,” to sustainably adapt to the shifts and developments of the educational landscape.
    • UPV published two journal articles under SDG 4, which highlights ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all.
  • SDG 5 – Gender Equality
    • UPV published four journal articles under SDG 5, focusing on gender identities in indigenous traditions and raising awareness regarding issues related to gender-based violence.
  • SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
    • UPV published two journal articles under SDG 6, exploring innovative solutions to detect and monitor plastic litter and organic matter (biomass) in water.
  • SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
    • UPMin earned an energy audit rating of 85.57% from the Government Energy Management Program, equivalent to Grade B or 3-stars, after a month-long study by a Department of Energy Audit Team that culminated in an onsite visit.
  • SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
    • UP Cebu gave recognition to exemplary faculty, research, and administrative staff through its Gawad Chancellor on December 15, 2023, which promoted morale among employees and aligned with SDG 8.
    • UPV published six journal articles under SDG 8, with the entries leaning toward economic sustainability and sustainable tourism development in the Philippine context.
  • SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    • UPV reported several 2024 publications aligned with SDG 9, showcasing innovations in algorithm development, disaster preparedness, sustainable tourism, environmental management, financial systems, and seaweed industry research. These outputs showcase the university’s contribution to advancing resilient infrastructure, inclusive industrialization, and innovation-driven sustainable development. 
  • SDG 10 – Reduced Inequality
    • UP Cebu published an article on May 2, 2024 about “Pasasalamat: Recognition of Donors 2024,” an event on April 19 to recognize its donors and benefactors, whose support helped empower its students through better funding.
    • The UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies (UPOU-FMDS) published a journal article titled “Development of a Filipinized Learning Management System,” where researchers designed a system to address the challenges of unstable internet connectivity and help provide a more equal opportunity for online education in the Philippines.
    • UPV published four journal articles under SDG 10, with the studies using a comparative approach to examine nuances to reducing inequality within or across nations. 
  • SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
    • UP Cebu published an article on April 2, 2024 on the launch of a campaign to implement energy conservation measures by strategically placing signages near electrical appliances such as air conditioning units and light switches, aligning with SDGs 11, 12, and 13.
    • Graduate researchers under the Tour 283 (Tourism Development Workshop) class at the UPD Asian Institute of Tourism completed and published a Tourism Development Work Plan for the Municipality of Bautista in Pangasinan.
    • UPOU-FMDS hosted an exploratory meeting with the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. on July 4, 2024, and discussed potential collaboration on the Rights of Nature campaign.
    • UPV published nine journal articles under SDG 11, highlighting inclusivity and sustainability in communities and livable spaces.
  • SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
    • UP Cebu published an article on April 2, 2024 on the launch of a campaign to implement energy conservation measures by strategically placing signages near electrical appliances such as air conditioning units and light switches, aligning with SDGs 11, 12, and 13.
    • UPV published 10 journal articles under SDG 12, mostly highlighting the importance of sustainable consumption and production patterns for both terrestrial and aquatic resources.
  • SDG 13 – Climate Action
    • UP Cebu published an article on April 2, 2024 on the launch of a campaign to implement energy conservation measures by strategically placing signages near electrical appliances such as air conditioning units and light switches, aligning with SDGs 11, 12, and 13.
    • UPV published nine journal articles under SDG 13, emphasizing the urgency to take action to combat climate change and its impacts.
  • SDG 14 – Life Below Water
    • UPV published various research papers pertaining to SDG 14 from 2023 to 2024. It listed 28 publications that encompass topics related to marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and blue-economy initiatives.
  • SDG 15 – Life on Land
    • UPV reported nine publications on SDG 15. Research outputs cover the period 2023 to 2024 on various topics such biodiversity preservation, species studies, and tourism through biological and management perspectives. These studies were undertaken by divisions and departments of the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the College of Management.
  • SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
    • UPV produced nine publications on SDG 16. From 2023 to 2024, research covered various topics on enabling and accessing justice from all forms of violence, and strengthening institutions to foster peace and inclusivity. The interdisciplinary studies of Humanities, Sciences, Management, and Accounting—through research that identifies root-causes of corruption, inequality, conflict, and weak institutions—made an impact on academic communities and the public by advancing human rights protection, accountability, and transparency, among others, as key SDG targets.
  • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
    • UPV reported 2024 publications aligned with SDG 17, showcasing collaborative research in aquaculture, disaster preparedness, financial systems, and biosecurity. These outputs reflected the university’s active role in advancing global partnerships and sustainable development through scholarly publication.

UP Mindanao Publishes Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024

UPMin released its Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024 as part of its commitment to supporting the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is reflected in the UP System’s Quality Policy and UPMin’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2025.

For 2024, UPMin broadened its search for SDG-related research by mapping its activities against each SDG. This effort involved analyzing publications in Elsevier’s Scopus (SCOPUS) database through keyword searches and in Clarivate’s Web of Science (WoS) database using their InCites tool. Data in the 2024 report suggested that publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science from 2006 to 2023 increased from 2016 onward, marking a rise in international engagement. As a result, the constituent university has published 45 research studies indexed in SCOPUS, WoS, and Non-indexed Publications. SDG 3 emerged as the university’s top research priority, representing 22% of all SDG-tagged publications. The initiatives undertaken by UPMin in this area include health research, infrastructure development, and outreach programs to improve access to quality healthcare and raise awareness of mental health issues.

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Indicator 17.4.1 Education for SDGs commitment to meaningful education

The University of the Philippines (UP) is committed to meaningful, SDG-driven education that equips all students with the knowledge and skills to promote sustainability and address global challenges.

  • UP Diliman offers Tour 117: Ecotourism, a course that explores sustainable tourism development by examining ecotourism principles, practices, and policies in the Philippine context. Through critical discussions and field-based analyses, students learn to evaluate ecotourism’s environmental, economic, and social impacts and develop sustainable plans for local destinations.


UP Open University Faculty of Education Advances Meaningful Learning for Sustainable Development

The UP Open University (UPOU) Faculty of Education (FEd) continues to champion accessible and meaningful education aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. As one of UPOU’s degree-granting units, the FEd develops programs that strengthen teacher education and respond to the changing needs of learners and communities through open and distance learning.

Guided by the principles of open education, UPOU-FEd provides flexible and innovative learning opportunities that promote lifelong learning and professional development. Its degree and non-degree programs equip educators to integrate sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation into their teaching practice.
Through these efforts, UPOU-FEd contributes to the university’s commitment to advancing quality education and sustainable learning communities in support of SDG 4 on Quality Education.

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Indicator 17.4.2 Education for SDGs specific courses on sustainability

The University of the Philippines (UP) offers dedicated degrees and elective courses that incorporate sustainability and environmental management to instill a sustainability-driven mindset to its students.

  • UP Diliman (UPD) offers a special course LIS and the UN Sustainable Development Goals under UP School of Library and Information Science, as seen in UPD’s Computerized Registration System Portal.
  • UP Cebu offers the Master of Science in Environmental Science degree, consisting of 32 total units, as listed in the program checklist.
  • The UPD Extension Program in Pampanga incorporates awareness about Sustainable Development Goals in its Civic Welfare Training Service courses, Environmental Science General Education course, and Economics Research Methods course.

UP Open University Offers Doctor in Sustainability Degree Program

The Faculty of Management and Development Studies of the UP Open University is offering a 46-unit doctorate program focused on sustainability.
The Doctor in Sustainability program aims to produce graduates who can develop research-based solutions to persistent sustainability challenges. By incorporating theoretical academic frameworks with field experiences of professionals, the graduates are expected to develop transformative research approaches to address relevant concerns based on their line of profession.
The program is designed to accommodate different disciplines, philosophies of science, and methodologies to produce individuals who can use a pluridisciplinary approach to finding solutions that lean toward sustainable development.

References
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