Representative of CRUCH participated in UNESCO meeting on university sustainability

19/10/2026
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Dr. Carmen González Henríquez, Vice-Rector of Research and Postgraduate Studies at UTEM and member of the Council's Research Commission, shared experiences on university governance and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainability as a central tenet of university management, results measurement, and inter-institutional collaboration were some of the key themes of the roundtable discussion “Universities” Trajectory in Sustainability and SDGs in Higher Education: Cases and Progress,“ held on October 7 at the Santiago campus of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV). The event took place within the framework of the course ”Sustainable University Leadership and Governance: Towards the 2030 Agenda,” organized by UNESCO.

On behalf of the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Postgraduate Studies of the Metropolitan Technological University (UTEM) and the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH), Dr. Carmen González shared her institution's experience in incorporating sustainability into strategic planning, research, and university management. The meeting brought together representatives from Chile, Peru, and Spain to exchange experiences and best practices.

During her address, the Vice-Rector emphasized the importance of incorporating sustainability into planning instruments and regular evaluation and monitoring mechanisms at universities. In the case of UTEM, this work is reflected in its Institutional Development Plan, which includes the strategic axis Sustainability and inclusion, with a horizon to the year 2030.

“Sustainability is consolidated when it goes from being a purpose to becoming a way of governing the institution.”, Dr. González pointed out, who also highlighted the role of alliances between universities, the State, the productive sector and communities to address shared challenges.

The roundtable discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing higher education in the context of the post-2030 Agenda, including climate change, inequalities, and the development of emerging technologies. In this context, the Vice-Rector highlighted the opportunities that artificial intelligence offers for research and education, along with the need to address its ethical implications and the digital divide.

Fountain: Communications from the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Metropolitan Technological University (UTEM)