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 2024)
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% of respondents reported impact of their student's work on at least 1 SDG.
| Total count of respondents who selected one or more SDG: | 14,879 |
|---|---|
| Total count of organizations: | 3,965 |
Employers' top-selected SDGs were SDG 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure (46%), SDG 3 good health and wellbeing (28%) and SDG 4 quality education (26%).
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. 63% of students reported impact of their student's work on at least 1 SDG.
| Total count of respondents who selected one or more SDG: | 8,062 |
|---|
Students' top-selected SDGs were SDG 9 industry, innovation and infrastructure (51%), SDG 8 decent work and economic growth (34%) and SDG 3 good health and wellbeing (29%).
Employer impact stories
Student impact stories
Notta Lab
The Notta Lab at UHN conducts groundbreaking research on pancreatic cancer. Co-op students play a crucial role by managing patient-derived cells for advanced studies. By combining their academic knowledge with lab expertise, they contribute to the development of new treatments and life-saving innovations. This work advances global healthcare and fosters hope for better outcomes and a healthier future.
Notta Lab's work supports SDG 3 - good health and well-being and SDG 9 - industry, innovation and infrastructure.
Thenuja Vittanachchi
Throughout her co-op term in South Africa, Thenuja analyzed water samples in wetlands using isotopic tracers. Her subsequent role in Austria focused on carbon emission reduction projects. These roles not only advanced her scientific skillset but also advanced research that will aid in creating a greener and more sustainable world.
Vittananchchi's work supports SDG 6 clean water and sanitation and SDG 13 climate action.
ConSalt Inc.
From snow removal consulting to tech innovation, ConSalt Inc. leverages co-op talent to lead projects and advance innovation. Their real-world expertise generates cutting-edge approaches that protect our environment, from streamlining winter maintenance to improving water quality. Students support by developing applications and software to create efficiences and automate processes for the company.
ConSalt Inc's work supports SDG 12 responsible consumption and production and SDG 13 climate action.
Shawn Benedict
During his co-op terms, Shawn contributed to sustainable research by developing a photoacoustic glucose sensor to improve health monitoring and working on piezoelectric nanogenerators to generate energy from movement. He also helped drive innovation in technology with his work on AI monitoring systems, all while contributing to the development of eco-friendly solutions for energy and environmental sustainability.
Benedict's work supports SDG 3 good health and wellbeing and SDG 7 affordable and clean energy.
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
Sustainable Development Goals at work: Student and employer perceptions of impact on sustainability through work-integrated learning
Shabnam Surjitsingh Ivković and Norah McRae report on the impact on students and employers from participating in the SDGs at Work activity and engaging with the Sustainability Impact Framework. Data was collected from end of term evaluations completed by Waterloo co-op employers and Waterloo co-op students.
How can work-integrated learning help contribute to economic recovery? | Hire Waterloo
Work-integrated learning (WIL) and economic recovery were key themes at the recent (World Association of Co-operative Education (WACE) Conference in Waterloo. A panel of employers shared insights about the potential impact that future-ready talent, like co-op students, can have on the economy. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), Manulife and Deloitte shared their experiences with WIL and how it can help contribute to economic recovery. The University of Waterloo’s Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) unit hosted the conference on June 28-30, 2023.
Waterloo awarded Quacquarelli Symonds’ Sustainability Education Award for advancing the SDGs through WIL | Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Reimagine Education Conference and Awards
Waterloo’s Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) unit has once again displayed innovation in sustainability with another award-winning project. CEE’s focus on sustainability through international work terms has earned the unit the Sustainability Education Award - Silver at Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Reimagine Education Conference and Awards.
Value and Impact of an Internship Activity to Increase Awareness of and Engagement with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals | WACE 4th International Research Symposium 2022
Associate Provost, Co-operative and Experiential Education, Dr. Norah McRae (she/her) and Director of International Strategic Initiatives, Shabnam Ivković were awarded best paper at WACE’s 4th International Research Symposium on Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education in September, 2022.
Co-op students can play a bigger role in advancing United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals | Phys.org
New study finds that 13 per cent of students in the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment carried out work related to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Waterloo created a pilot program to help increase both co-op student and employer awareness of SDGs.