Examining the participation in sustainability assessments among higher education institutions in the Philippines

Abstract

The research aims to achieve the following: firstly, to identify the array of tools available for evaluating and overseeing sustainability endeavors in HEIs; secondly, to identify the HEIs in the Philippines that have actively participated in sustainable assessments; and thirdly, to propose future directions for reinforcing sustainable development initiatives among HEIs. A literature review on the sustainable assessment tools for HEIs resulted in the identification of eleven (11) sustainable assessment tools available online. These assessment tools examined showed that twenty-three (23) HEIs in the Philippines participated in various sustainable assessments. By conducting a content analysis, these HEIs were assessed based on factors such as their institutional classification, ownership, geographical distribution across regions, as well as an evaluation of their vision-mission statements and their alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their sustainable development programs. Conclusions and recommendations offered the strengthening of the recognition and significance of undergoing assessments as a systematic mechanism to align, monitor, and sustain the sustainability efforts of HEIs in the Philippines and the rest of the world.