University of Auckland showcases its sustainability strengths

As a regional sponsor for this ground-breaking event, the University joined more than 3,000 global thought leaders and innovators to discuss urgent solutions to the world’s sustainability crisis, with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The Global Sustainable Development Congress comes at a critical point: global challenges are reaching a crisis point, yet geopolitics and the macroeconomic environment mean governments and citizens are focused on economic and living cost concerns,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater.

“It is incumbent on all at this Congress to identify impactful SDG actions now and implement them urgently."

The University delegation including the Vice-Chancellor, Space Institute Te Pūnaha Ātea director Professor Guglielmo Aglietti, Professor Julie Rowland, Deputy Dean of Science, and doctoral student Gaël Gendron attended the Congress.

Professor Freshwater played a central role in discussions, participating in multiple panel sessions. In one session, she emphasised how academic leaders in science, innovation and industry can enhance research resources, optimise collaboration and build trust in science for a sustainable future.

The discussion highlighted the need for universities to transition from a return-on-investment mindset to a return-on-values mindset by working with industry, government agencies, community organisations and international partners.

“It’s not about what we do, but how we do,” Professor Freshwater said.

She  also championed the need for effective cross-sector collaboration to secure a sustainable future, highlighting the information overload confronting higher education leaders and stressing the importance of prioritisation in a crisis-inflicted world.

During a panel on building sustainable futures through education, she called for universities to deploy ‘AI for good’ to help solve sustainability challenges.

“Universities and their partners must accelerate and prioritise their preparation for the technology revolution we already inhabit. For universities to remain critical institutions in their communities and societies, they must not only deploy AI and other new technologies, but also do so responsibly and sustainably in relation to the SDGs,” said Professor Freshwater.

“AI is already being used to advance the SDGs. It has a powerful role in the future of innovative research, teaching and learning. Many higher education institutions have made great strides in integrating AI into their teaching, learning and operations. We have tutor bots, AI-supporting research, and there are AI academics and mentors. However, there is a tendency in higher education to hold onto tradition.”

AI was a hot topic at the Congress. Professor Julie Rowland and Gaël Gendron participated in a panel on AI, sustainability and universities to discuss whether artificial intelligence can help the world become a more just, fairer place.

“As AI chatbots can become very effective tutors for students, the role of universities will have to shift,” said Gendron.

“One exclusive advantage they have, that should be leveraged, is their ability to bring people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines together in the same place and get them to collaborate on unique projects that no one would have thought of on their own.”

Professor Guglielmo Aglietti provided insight into space sustainability and his debris retrieval work. He revealed that there are almost 10,000 satellites in orbit and, in 2023, 2,664 more objects were launched into space. While space presents a huge opportunity, growing amounts of space debris is a threat, both on Earth and in space. Discover further information on Professor Aglietti's contributions and research.

The University also showcased Aotearoa New Zealand and the excellence of the University of Auckland. This included the University's first paperless and experiential exhibit at such an event, which featured five VR experiences from the Business School, the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Science. This exhibit was created by Nick Young, research software engineer at the Centre for e-Research.

On returning to New Zealand, Professor Rowland spoke highly of the chance to collaborate towards the sustainability goals.

“I was inspired by the work colleagues from around the world, and particularly the Global South, are doing to make a difference. Despite all the indicators of a less secure world, the determination of people in the higher education sector to collaborate across borders for impact was uplifting.”