In today’s world, environmental sustainability is no longer optional — it is a shared responsibility of the world across all sectors. As one of Indonesia’s leading institutions of higher education, UGM is committed to upholding this responsibility and playing an active role in preserving the environment through education, research, and community engagement. In institutions of higher education, dedicated training on sustainability is crucial for human resource development. It equips faculty, staff, and future graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex environmental challenges. Thus, UGM holds annual training for its faculty, staff, and students, including dedicated training on environmental aspects of sustainability.
For UGM’s faculty and staff, training such as these equips the human resource behind UGM’s excellency with the knowledge and awareness to reduce risks, ensure compliance, and drive operational efficiency. It fosters innovation, empowers employees to contribute meaningful solutions, and strengthens organizational culture. By holding training sessions, organizations not only protect the environment but also enhance their reputation and support global and national sustainability goals, ensuring long-term success in an increasingly climate-conscious world.
The university’s Directorate of Human Resources conducts annual basic training for new staff, followed by an assessment at the end of the program. Renowned experts deliver sessions on topics designed to inspire and guide future staff members, including “Why Become a UGM Education Personnel?”, “Actualizing UGM Values at Work”, and “Becoming an Employee with Character and Inspiring Change.” Importantly, the training also emphasizes staff adaptation to climate and environmental challenges. After all, the issue of climate change has become a global concern for all stakeholders: governments, international institutions, the business sector, and civil society. Indonesia has enacted many policy adaptations that include human resource development, technology and knowledge transfer, climate change adaptation innovation and green economic transition, and climate change financing.
There are other staff training dedicated to environmental aspects of sustainability, including Capacity Building Training for faculty who will become Field Supervisors in the university’s community service program. The training is conducted to prepare the field supervisors for their time in the program and involves training on HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment). HSE is a system of practices, policies, and regulations designed to minimize hazards, prevent accidents and injuries, and promote sustainable practices. This system serves to safeguard both individuals and the environment.
In addition, the Directorate of Asset UGM organises Energy Audit Training for campus building managers. Energy-saving policies and energy audit training are important to improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, lower carbon emissions, and support sustainability goals by ensuring that staff can identify, monitor, and implement practical energy conservation measures. The training aims to provide an understanding of energy audits, as well as concrete steps in implementing energy-saving policies on campus. The materials on Energy Audit Training can be accessed here: Material 1 and Material 2.
Source: Directorate of Asset UGM organises Energy Audit Training
UGM prioritizes environmental responsibility in other critical areas. This commitment is reflected not only in energy audit training but also in other areas of environmental management. UGM has its very own Academic Hospital (RSA UGM) which has aligned its hazardous waste management practices with the provisions of Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number P.56/Menlhk-Setjen/2015. This regulation outlines technical procedures and requirements for managing hazardous and toxic waste (B3) in healthcare facilities, with Article 38 highlighting the importance of training for personnel involved. This reflects UGM’s broader commitment to sustainability, ensuring that both energy management and waste management are supported by proper policies and continuous staff training.
The hospital regularly provides dedicated training for staff involved in hazardous waste management (Personnel Training), ensuring they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to handle hazardous waste safely and effectively. Furthermore, personnel who have completed training are required to obtain certification in accordance with standards set by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Certification). To maintain excellence and compliance, RSA UGM also keeps staff updated on the latest regulations and technologies through advanced training programs and workshops (Knowledge Updates).
For UGM’s students and future graduates, training on environmental responsibility and sustainable practices is also a must.
Source: PIONIR
Freshman year students at UGM are mandated to participate in the campus orientation program, PIONIR. Students received orientation materials that emphasized the values of leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and intellectual and emotional intelligence to face global challenges. Most importantly, the program highlighted environmental awareness and zero waste principles, encouraging students to adopt sustainable habits from their first day on campus. They were taught to bring their own water bottles and lunch boxes, avoid single-use plastics, and actively participate in waste sorting and recycling initiatives. This education aims to shape students into environmentally conscious individuals and agents of change within the university community and beyond.