1. Sustainability in Higher EducationHKU in 2011 Environmental Communication JMSC - September 2, 2011 Ann Kildahl Sustainability Manager, HKU akildahl@hku.hk

2. SHE – Universities’ Unique Role As a “microcosm of the larger community,” a university campus provides “unparalleled opportunities” to teach, conduct research, demonstrate and learn about all aspects of sustainability and environmental issues. “today’s students will be the business leaders, scientific researchers, politicians, artists, and citizens of tomorrow. The extent to which they will be prepared to make decisions in favor of a sustainable future depends on the awareness, knowledge, expertise, and values they have acquired during their studies and in the subsequent years.” (Cortese 2003; Cohen, 2006)

3. Policy, planning, and administration Curriculum/teaching Research and scholarship Service to communities Student life Physical operations/infrastructure (Wright 2007) SHE Research

4. SHE - Influencing Factors Financial constraints Government regulations Climate and geography Physical infrastructure Institutional practices Culture (Clugston, 2004; Di Giulio, 2006; Fien, 2002)

5. SHE - Barriers Overcrowded curriculum Perceived irrelevance by academic staff Limited staff awareness and expertise Limited institutional drive and commitment (Gough & Scott, 2007)

6. Higher Education - Expansion Investment in scientific research and HE are recognized as having, “a positive effect on economic growth and regional competitiveness, as well as on individual employment prospects and well-being” (OECD, 2006)

7. HKU in 2011 Opportunities, Challenges,& Competing Priorities 4-year UG System & Curriculum Reform Expanding community, activities, physical campus

8. HKU Sustainability OfficeFocus Areas Policy/Institutional Commitments Environmental Impact of Campus Operations Education/Awareness (on campus activities) Local & International Outreach Communications

9. http://www.sustainability.hku.hk http://www.sustainability.hku.hk/report-2010/ http://www.facebook.com/HKUSustainability HKU Sustainability Office

10. REFERENCES Cortese, Anthony (2003). “The Critical Role of Higher Education in Creating a Sustainable Future,” Planning for Higher Education, March-May 2003. Cohen, Maurie J. (2006). “The Roots of Sustainability Science: A Tribute to Gilbert F. White,” Sustainability: Science, Practice & Policy, 2(2). Clugston, R. M. (2004). Foreword. Higher Education and the Challenge of Sustainability--Problematics, Promise, and Practice. P. B. Corcoran and A. E. J. Wals. Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic Publishers. Di Giulio, A. (2006). Education for Sustainable Development--What Does It Mean and What Should Students Learn? Higher Education for Sustainability: New Challenges from a Global Perspective. M. J. G. a. G. M. Adomssent, UNESCO. 271. Fien, J. (2002). "Advancing sustainability in higher education." International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 3(3): 243-253. Gough, S. and W. Scott (2007). Higher Education and Sustainable Development - Paradox and possibility. London, Routledge. OECD (2006). Higher Education: Quality, Equity and Efficiency. Education Policy Analysis--Focus on Higher Education. Paris, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Wright, T. S. A. (2007). "Developing research priorities with a cohort of higher education for sustainability experts." International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 8(1): 34-43.

11. Sustainability in Higher EducationHKU in 2011 Environmental Communication JMSC - September 2, 2011 Ann Kildahl Sustainability Manager, HKU akildahl@hku.hk