PSAU SDG Club and Ambassadors
Introduction
In alignment with its PSAU 2030 SDG Roadmap, the Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) announces the establishment of the PSAU SDG Club with branches in its six campuses and SDG Ambassador roles. This initiative will serve as a cornerstone for embedding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into academic and community life, driving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives. Drawing from the best global practices, the SDG Clubs and Ambassadors programme will empower students, faculty, and community stakeholders to take active roles in achieving sustainable development. The SDG Clubs will be students' run.
Objectives of the PSAU Clubs and Ambassadors Framework
Immediate
1. Awareness and Recruitment:
o Launch university-wide campaigns to introduce the SDG Clubs initiative.
o Recruit ambassadors from students, faculty, and staff to champion SDG-related activities.
2. Club Formation:
o Establish SDG Clubs within each college and department at PSAU.
o Align club activities with specific SDGs relevant to their academic disciplines.
Short-term
1. Capacity Building
o Conduct training workshops on SDG principles and ESG frameworks.
o Collaborate with local and international institutions to bring in expert trainers.
2. Project Implementation
o Initiate sustainability projects such as waste reduction drives, tree planting, and renewable energy campaigns.
o Organise interdepartmental SDG-themed competitions to foster innovation.
3. Community Outreach
o Partner with local schools, businesses, and NGOs to extend SDG activities beyond campus.
o Host public awareness events, including seminars, exhibitions, and clean-up campaigns.
Mid-term:
1. Research and Innovation
o Integrate SDG-related topics into student research projects and dissertations.
o Develop an SDG-focused research fund to support interdisciplinary studies.
2. International Collaboration
o Establish partnerships with universities in the Global South to share best practices and co-host SDG events.
o Facilitate exchange programmes for students and faculty to engage in SDG activities abroad.
3. Policy Advocacy
o Use research findings to advocate for evidence-based policies that support the SDGs.
o Facilitate dialogues between academics, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.
Long-term:
1. Institutional Integration
o Embed SDG and ESG principles into PSAU’s strategic planning and operations.
o Establish PSAU as a regional leader in sustainable development education and advocacy.
2. Global Recognition
o Position PSAU as a model institution for SDG implementation within the Global South.
o Regularly publish reports on the university’s SDG achievements to share success stories globally.
Roles and Responsibilities
SDG Ambassadors
2. Leadership
o Act as champions for SDG awareness and implementation within their respective colleges and communities.
3. Coordination
o Facilitate communication between the university administration and SDG Clubs.
o Organise events, workshops, and campaigns.
4. Monitoring
o Track and report progress on SDG-related initiatives.
PSAU SDG Club
1. Activity Planning
o Develop annual action plans aligned with PSAU’s SDG Roadmap.
2. Student Engagement
o Promote active participation in SDG-themed projects and competitions.
3. Collaboration
o Partner with other clubs, departments, and external organizations for joint initiatives.
Activities and Best Practices
4. Sustainability Projects
o Follow the University of Cape Town’s model for campus-wide recycling initiatives.
o Implement smart water and energy-saving technologies, inspired by Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.
5. Knowledge Sharing
o Host SDG seminars featuring experts from Global South institutions.
o Publish newsletters and social media updates to disseminate knowledge.
6. Innovation Competitions
o Organise hackathons to address local and global sustainability challenges.
o Reward innovative solutions with funding and mentorship opportunities.
7. Community Engagement
o Establish partnerships with NGOs for joint community service programmes.
o Launch public awareness campaigns on pressing issues such as climate change and social inequality.
Implementation Framework
Governance
2. Steering Committee
o Composed of representatives from administration, faculty, and student bodies.
o Responsible for oversight and strategic alignment.
3. SDG Coordination Office
o Provide administrative support and ensure consistent communication across clubs.
Monitoring and Evaluation
1. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
o Number of active SDG Clubs and Ambassadors.
o Participation rates in SDG activities.
o Quantifiable impact of projects (e.g., waste reduction, trees planted).
2. Reporting
o Publish annual SDG progress reports highlighting achievements and areas for improvement.
Funding
1. Internal Funding
o Allocate a portion of PSAU’s budget to SDG initiatives.
2. External Funding
o Secure grants and sponsorships from government agencies, private sector partners, and international organisations.
