| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 40.37 |
| Liaison | Raafat Kabbara |
| Submission Date | Nov. 15, 2022 |
Higher Colleges of Technology
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 4.00 |
Raafat
Kabbara Assistant Manager - Facilities Management General Services |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Activities to establish sustainability as a principle in higher education institutions take place on at least three different levels. These are (i) research on sustainability issues, (ii) learning and teaching activities to educate future decision-makers, and (iii) organizational change as self-reflective practice, embracing management processes and operational parameters. At HCT, the focus on Sustainability will be on (ii) and (iii). With regards to (ii), what is needed are the development and implementation of new approaches to teaching and learning in the paradigm of education for sustainable development and, at the same time, the acknowledgment of sustainability as a crosscutting theme within the existing curricula. The aim is to design learning settings that ask for ethically reflected decision-making and build bridges between disciplinary knowledge and interdisciplinary, problem-oriented approaches that allow for integrating different types of knowledge for solutions of practical relevance. Refer to the attached documents related to HCT 4.0 Strategic objectives ( establishing a sustainable innovation ecosystem).
Based on the HCT 2030 Strategy, Aspiration 5 (the Destination of Applied Higher Education, the objective is to Embed sustainability in Curriculum and create a sustainability Research Center by 2024. Action to be taken in this regard:
1. Conduct academic Research on sustainability related topics
2. Expand Campuses as a Living Laboratory
3. Provide a framework for a sustainability programs and curriculum
4. Develop Sustainability Research Catalog.
Please refer to page 17 of HCT 2030 and item 2 in page 2 of the HCT sustainability action plan attached.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
In alignment with the HCT Vision Statement - ‘The Higher Colleges of Technology is the leading applied Higher Education Institution in empowering generations to contribute to the shaping of the future of the UAE.’ the aims and aspirations of this Industry Engagement strategy are as follows:
* Facilitate student sponsorship towards employment through agreements with industry partners.
* Embed work placement in the private sector by exposing students to its benefits so that they can become major leaders in the sector
* Support the growth and development of Applied Research in tackling real industry challenges through the ongoing development of an industry network that leverages HCT’s capabilities.
* Ensure a sustainable industry network through training and regular encouragement of industry feedback.
Sustainable Private Sector Engagement Assurance of private sector engagement in the lifelong learning journey of technical leaders consistently and sustainably.
Based on the HCT 2030 Strategy, Aspiration 5 (the Destination of Applied Higher Education, and to the HCT sustainability Action plan 2022-2026, the objective is to Advance HCT’s Sustainability mandate by having 50% of Student, Staff, and Faculty be Sustainability Engaged by 2024. Action to be taken in this regard:
1. Whole HCT Sustainability Collaborate To Expand College-wide Communication.
2. Expand Professional Development Opportunities for Faculty and Staff.
3. Inventory and Expand Community Engagement.
4. Ensure Students Achieve Sustainability Literacy.
Please refer to page 17 of HCT 2030 and item 6 in page 3 of the HCT sustainability action plan attached.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Regarding (iii), the third level of activities is concerned with campus operations and management practices. With 16 campuses spread across the country, HCT is a major local employer in each Emirate, with each campus having a striking ecological footprint. To this end, HCT is now on a rapidly evolving Sustainability journey.
Based on the HCT 2030 Strategy, Aspiration 5 (the Destination of Applied Higher Education, and to the HCT sustainability Action plan 2022-2026, the objective is to have a 40% Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2026, 15% Lower Energy / water Usage Intensity by 2025, Obtain LEED certification for 10% of the campuses buildings by 2024.
Action to be taken in this regard:
1. Reduce electricity consumption by at least 5% annually, relative to 2019.
2. Produce 5% Renewable Energy by 2024.
3. Reduce transportation emissions to 50% by 2026.
4. Eliminate emissions from paper by 2024.
5. Reduce emissions from waste by 50% by 2025.
6. Implement Cost Effective Conservation Investments.
7. Implement BEMIS (Building Energy Management Information System).
8. Purchase Only Energy Star Appliances.
9. Implement smart irrigation.
10.Execute projects supporting the renewable energy strategies.
11. Execute retrofits to achieve LEED – BD&C- O& M Gold .
12. Create new policies and procedures related to the Green building codes / rating systems.
Please refer to page 17 of HCT 2030 and items 4, 5 and 7 in pages 2 and 3 of the HCT sustainability action plan attached.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
Student Wellbeing and Mental Health: It is necessary to continually ensure that induction programs are flexible and adapted to the needs of the different types of students and adult learners to develop a strong sense of belonging that is critical to inclusion. Combatting anxiety, uncertainty, and disengagement through high faculty accessibility and academic advising are also key. Group projects and assignments and student exchange programs can also foster the development of social and teamworking skills amongst students at an early stage.
Please refer to page 25 on the supporting document attached.
Based on the HCT 2030 Strategy, Aspiration 5 (the Destination of Applied Higher Education, and to the HCT sustainability Action plan 2022-2026, the objective is to Create Sustainability policies and procedures by 2023, Achieve STARS Gold Rating by 2025. Action to be taken in this regard:
1. Have the Sustainable investment policy
2. Have the Sustainable donations / funding policy
3. Have the sustainable Energy Management Policy
4. Have the sustainable Waste management policy
5. Sustainable procurement Policy
6. Define and deploy the Action Plan to target STARS Gold rating
7. Membership recognition notification / certificate
8. Develop a criteria for green/sustainable campuses, including infrastructural, managerial and operational considerations.
9. Create a baseline for continuous improvement
Please refer to page 17 of HCT 2030 and items 1 and 8 in pages 2 and 3 of the HCT sustainability action plan attached.
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
The HCT is striving to continually enhance its sustainability practices in its Planning and Administration, Operations, Curriculum and Research, and Campus and Community Engagement activities by committing to:
* Leadership in Planning and Administration
* Leadership in Operations
* Leadership in Curriculum and Research
* Leadership in Campus and Community Engagement
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
the capacity to create and maintain healthy, equitable, diverse communities and ecosystems. That capacity comprises 1) an understanding and respect for the interdependence of the atmosphere, the waters, the land, and all life on Earth, 2) full recognition of the legacy and ongoing impacts of human activity, and 3) a commitment to cultivate collective wisdom and to deliberately act out of that understanding, respect and recognition.
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | Yes |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | No |
| SDG Accord | No |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | Yes |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | No |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | No |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
On Sept. 24th, 2020, The Office of the President & CEO signed a pledge for HCT to reach net-zero Carbon by 2030.
On Oct. 7th, 2020, a Task Force Team was formed by the General Services Department, chaired by the General Services Executive Director, and endorsed by P&CEO Office and Shared Services Office for preparing the HCT Carbon Neutral Plan 2030
The Task Force Team met regularly and submitted the HCT Race to Zero Carbon Neutral Plan 2030 and GHG Annual Report 2018-2019.
On submitting the above, HCT is now a recognized Signatory of the Global Universities and Colleges Climate Letter.
On Nov 11th, 2020, the recommendation by the GSED to establish and form a sustainability Committee/division – system-wide has been adopted by the P&CEO office and by the Shared Service VP office.
On May 19th, 2021, the Directive (16)/2021 from the Office of the President and CEO was circulated, indicating the formation of the HCT Sustainability Steering Committee.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.