Abstract:

The 2030 Agenda proposed by United Nations in year 2015 encompasses 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This Agenda embraces 169 targets focused on sustainability from an environmental, social and economic perspective (United Nations, 2015). Universities hold a fundamental role on developing and promoting an environment that could foster SDGs implementation (Franco et al., 2018). Higher education institutions and professors can support students towards students’ capabilities and abilities in the SDG application (Mann et al., 2021). Hence, a high number of universities are incorporating SDGs actions in their performance (Aleixo, Leal and Azeiteiro, 2018). However, evidence is needed of the impact that such actions have on students' knowledge and decisions. The study is of particular interest to final year undergraduate and master’s students, who are closer to their professional careers.

Based on a questionnaire conducted with Master of Business Administration students at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in the academic year 2022/2023, this paper addresses how universities achieve SDGs from their perspective. The aim of the seminar was to examine what students know about SDGs and their thoughts about SDGs implementation at the University. The survey was structured divided up into two parts. Firstly, a few questions were asked related to students’ knowledge about SDGs before the seminar. Secondly, after the seminar imparted by the authors, questions were focused on their thoughts regarding to the role of universities in the achievement of each SDG and, ultimately, what they could do in their daily life to achieve the SDGs. The results of the questionnaire showed a superficial knowledge of the SDGs prior to the seminar. After the seminar, the majority of students (90%) expressed the need for further training on the subject and the interest in incorporating the SDGs in their research related to their Master's theses for subsequent business application. This points to the need for further information and awareness-raising activities, as well as guidance for students on how to integrate the SDGs and their implementation into their academic work.

Keywords:

Agenda 2030, higher education, qualitative analysis, Sustainable Development Goals, research.