Abstract:

In September 2015, the document "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" was unanimously adopted by the United Nations. Aligned with the 2030 Agenda, Universities have a relevant role in the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) is strongly committed to improving and adapting its curricular itineraries, governing bodies, and management plans to accomplish the SDGs. Different Schools and Faculties of the UPV have embarked on this journey. This is the case of the Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineering (ETSII), which has decided to start the process to implement the SDGs in its 13 degrees within the project of Educational Innovation and Improvement Project (PIME/21-22/281). The initial action of this project is the analysis or diagnosis of the actual situation in the subjects of all the Bachelor and Master Degrees of the ETSII. This diagnosis should answer questions such as: what is the level of knowledge of students and teachers about the SDGs? what SDGs are we working on the degrees and how? A survey, properly designed, could provide valuable information to know the degree of knowledge and implementation of the SDGs in the Degrees of the ETSII.

Based on the literature and the objectives of the PIME, some key points were identified and categorized into three blocks to design the survey for the teachers of the ETSII. The first block collects demographic data, the second block is related to awareness, knowledge, and applicability of the SDGs in the bachelors’ and masters’ degrees studies, and the third block is focused on how teachers are applying the SDGs in their subjects. The survey to the students has been structured in five blocks:
a) collection of student demographic data,
b) assessment of the degree of knowledge of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda,
c) perception of applicability of the SDGs,
d) perception of the degree of implementation of the SDGs in the bachelor’s or master’s degree, and
e) expectation with regard to the SDGs.

Almost 158 people (23.5% of the teachers) answered the survey representing 12 Degrees. Regarding the survey of students, it has been fulfilled by 321 persons, representing the 8 % of the students of the ETSII.

The project analyzes the results obtained for the different dimensions of the surveys with the aim of identifying the perception and expectations of both students and teachers regarding the SGDs in the ETSII. In this paper we focus on answering the second question raised above: in which SDGs are being formed and how in the different degrees of the School of Industrial Engineers of the UPV?

The results show that the main SDGs object of training are, in a high percentage, those considered more technical, in accordance with the philosophy of the School, while there is a high number that are considered outside the scope of training within the School.

It also shows that in many cases the training has been done implicitly within the contents of the subject, while in others it is shown explicitly, presenting in many cases a high potential for incorporation.

Keywords:

Sustainable development goals, higher education, engineering school, training, survey.