At CEE, we commit to advancing the University of Waterloo’s Sustainability Strategy. We do so through the development and implementation of the Sustainability Impact Framework.
We work to develop talent that is equipped to help address the global challenges outlined in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals [UN SDGs]. We do so through our leading-edge research, work-integrated learning initiatives, co-operative education program, and partnerships with employers and industry experts. We focus on preparing students to be global citizens who advocate for sustainable futures and help to operationalize those futures.
Waterloo at 100, a long-term visioning exercise, integrates the SDGs in all five of the Futures Framework. The frameworks propose actions Waterloo can take to create a better world. For us at CEE, that means integrating the SDGs with the concept of purpose. We focus on preparing students to be global citizens who advocate for sustainable futures and help to operationalize those futures.
Educational institutions and students all play a vital role in taking on global challenges and ensuring a sustainable future. It is imperative that we leverage our co-operative and experiential education programs to understand how we can further engage our students to work towards advancing the SDGs.
Sustainability Impact Framework
The Sustainability Impact Framework (SIF) aims to develop talent through work-integrated learning (WIL) and co-op experiences that is well-equipped to address global challenges.
The aims of the SIF include building sustainability awareness and increasing sustainability literacy, engagement with sustainability actions, and measurement of impact of this engagement. Currently, sustainability is viewed from the perspective of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The desire is to achieve the following through the SIF:
- Connecting sustainability-related knowledge and skills to industry needs
- Pathways for students to make value-added impact at their employing organizations
- Enhancing the value of co-op / WIL beyond the traditional measures of employability and employer gains
- Engaging with the campus community
These aims and achievements are actioned by participation in the SDGs at Work activity.
What are the SDGs?
The United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. The SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries to partner towards “ending poverty and other deprivations hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests” by 2030.
The 17 SDGs recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others and development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. They are goals created on a global scale for all societies to work towards fostering innovation through technology, creativity and financial resources to achieve the SDGs. At the University of Waterloo, and in Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE), we have a responsibility to advance and prioritize the SDGs as the incubator for the next generation of professionals and leaders.
Employer and student impact
CEE offers a voluntary SDGs at Work activity to students and supervisors. The activity supports learning more about the SDGs and how to engage with them. The offering includes an introductory webinar, activity package and experience debrief to wrap up the activity. Students and supervisors who participate gain a deeper understanding of the SDGs while forming a strong working relationship. At the end of the experience students and supervisors are asked an optional question about which SDG did the student’s work advance.
Table 1. Employer and student SDG responses from Student Performance Evaluations (Winter, Spring and Fall 2025)
Employer perceived impact on the SDGs
Supervisors were asked to select the main SDGs they believe their student impacted during their work term. Multiple SDGs could be selected. 62.8% of respondents reported impact of their student's work on at least 1 SDG.
| Total count of respondents who selected one or more SDG: | 14,091 |
|---|---|
| Total count of organizations: | 4,070 |
Employers' top-selected SDGs were SDG 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure (45%), SDG 3 good health and wellbeing (27%) and SDG 4 quality education (25%).
Student perceived impact on the SDGs
Students were asked to select the SDGs they believe they impacted during their work term. Multiple SDGs could be selected. 67.2% of students reported impact of their student's work on at least 1 SDG.
| Total count of respondents who selected one or more SDG: | 8,106 |
|---|
Students' top-selected SDGs were SDG 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure (52%), SDG 8 decent work and economic growth (34%) and SDG 3 good health and wellbeing (29%).
Employer and student impact stories
Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre
Providing co-op students with mentorship, training and education throughout their work terms, The Sunnybroook Odette Cancer Centre works to advance healthcare research, while simultaneously creating the next generation of "globally minded health-care professionals" to sustain and drive positive change.
Sunnybrook's work supports SDG 3 - good health and well-being, SDG 4 - quality education and SDG 9 - industry, innovation and infrastructure.
Harrison Cormier
At PwC Canada, Sustainability and Financial Management student Harrison Cormier translated financial expertise into environmental impact. By supporting sustainability reporting and assurance across issues like water use, land management, and biodiversity, he helped organizations strengthen transparency and accountability, showing how credible data and interdisciplinary collaboration can drive real progress in sustainability.
Cormier's work supports SDG 12 responsible consumption and production and SDG 17 partnership for the goals.
City of Iqaluit
The Future Cities Institute (FCI) leverages Waterloo innovation to tackle real-world urban challenges. Through a partnership with the City of Iqaluit, FCI is helping build a more sustainable and resilient future. From streamlining operating systems to supporting fleet system rollouts, this collaboration demonstrates how work-integrated learning can drive innovation and deliver meaningful impact in communities.
City of Iqaluit's work supports SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure and SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Feyza Tunc
At Markham Stouffville Hospital, Health Sciences student Feyza Tunc supported a healthier, more resilient healthcare system through her work in occupational health and safety. By coordinating mask fit testing, conducting physical demands analyses and identifying workplace risks, she helped protect frontline staff, reduce injury and promote safer, more sustainable hospital operations.
Feyza's work supports SDG 3 good health and wellbeing.
Ways to get involved
Student opportunities
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Participate in CEE’s work term SDG activity: A student-led, employer participation, awareness-building activity that helps to drive motivation in engaging with the SDGs.
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Apply for the Global Skills Opportunity’s Powering Change program.
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Register for SDG workshops from the Centre for Career Development through WaterlooWorks.
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Get involved with Waterloo’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) through SDSN Youth.
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CEE is a proud participant of the WACE global challenge program, which won a PIEoneer award in 2022 for helping to advance the SDGs. To participate, contact centreforwil@uwaterloo.ca.
Employer opportunities
- Participate in CEE’s SDG activity with your co-op student to share knowledge about SDG actions in your business.
- Include job duties related to progressing the SDGs in your job posting on WaterlooWorks.
- Engage with the Global Skills Opportunity’s Powering Change program.
- Nominate your organization for an Employer Impact Award. Our annual awards honour co-op employers in categories such as Impact in Innovation, Impact in Sustainability and Impact in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Subscribe to the SDSN Canada newsletter or apply to join SDSN Canada.
Staff and faculty opportunities
- Complete the Sustainability Certificate from Office of Sustainability.
- Join CEE’s sustainability committee or start a green team.
- Look for volunteer opportunities.
- Subscribe to the SDSN Canada newsletter.
This was a chance to exchange knowledge and skills both ways. I directed a weekly class where the children learned about musical instruments such as the piano and guitar. Community living gave me the opportunity to bond with many of the locals and full-time staff and gave me a unique insight into their culture, language, and way of living.
Recognition as global leaders
Beyond the desk: How Centre for Career Development is enhancing the benefits of SDGs at Work experiences
By Micaela Kelly (she/her)
Organizations across industries are advancing their sustainability efforts and those advancements require skilled staff. According to a LinkedIn report, demand for talent with green skills grew by 12.3 per cent between 2022 and 2023.
Steele Family Foundation funding takes co-op students to the Galapagos Islands
By: Christie Zeb
With funding support, students benefit from the opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts and community development in the Galapagos.
CEE’s Shabnam Ivković wins CBIE’s first-ever Sustainable Development Leadership Award
By: Micaela Kelly
Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) congratulates Shabnam Ivković who received the inaugural Sustainable Development Leadership Award from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE).