HSI Report: Introduction to
Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)
University News | June 20, 2022

Attracting more than 30 students, the “Introduction to
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” is one of this year’s
Hokkaido Summer Institute (HSI)’s Pickup Courses—highly
recommended courses by the organizers. Throughout fiveconsecutive days, the students were making themselvesfamiliar with the most fundamental aspects of sustainability
in this lecture-based course.

Taking place at Hokkaido University’s Student Communication Center,between June 13th-17th, 2022, Professor Satoru Kato (Institute for theAdvancement of Sustainability, Hokkaido University) shared his
profound knowledge and experience pertaining to SDGs. To
accommodate those who were unable to attend the HSI on campus, thelectures were conducted in a hybrid mode.

The lecture started off with the most basic, yet important, topic: thehistory of sustainability, which rooted from environmental concerns.
As the day advanced, the topic went further into more practical themes,such as the details of each of 17 goals, the framework in SDGs
promotion and development, United Nations’ role, etc.
“On the background of SDGs, there are fundamental human rights,
support for developing countries, and global environmental protection.
By understanding these backgrounds, we can backcast our activities
and research activities to improve society effectively,” said Professor
Kato on the importance of proper SDGs learning.
Gourav Nath is a 4th year undergraduate student from Institute ofTechnology Madras who is taking part in the STSI Inter-University
Exchange program, the exchange program between Hokkaido
University and three Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) in India.
Driven by a research interest in sustainability, particularly in Clean
Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), he chose this course. “India, my homecountry, unfortunately ranks very low in sustainability. It is interestingthat SDGs are being taught from an early age in Japan. I think it isimportant.”

Professor Satoru Kato

“SDGs is a new concept; most adults grew up without knowing thatconcept. It is never too late to learn about it, and we should begin toteach it to our children too. So, SDGs should be learnt with humility,”
said Professor Kato.
For evaluations, students did not only submit written reports, but alsogave short presentations pertaining to their plan in working towards
SDGs achievement. Because of the highly diverse academic
background, from humanities to natural sciences, the presentations
provided fresh and unique points for reflection.
“Hokkaido University was ranked 10th in the world in THE Impact
Ranking 2022 and the SDGs are at the center of the University’s midterm plan and goals. With courses such as this, students and faculty
members are encouraged to think and work together to achieve thosegoals,” added Professor Kato.
To learn more about Hokkaido Summer Institute, visit their website:
https://hokkaidosummerinstitute.oia.hokudai.ac.jp/Related links:
Hokkaido University ranks 10th in the world (and 1st in Japan) in“THE Impact Rankings 2022”
Sustainability is encoded in the DNA of Hokkaido University
Written by Aprilia Agatha Gunawan