Higher education strategies based on public policies and SDGS

Abstract

Introduction: In the intermediate space that exists between institutional strategy projects that are part of official documents and their implementation in actual practice, the fact that many institutions officially state that they have adopted the SDGs in their development plans, but without clear knowledge about the effects that these actions may have. Methodology: The study was developed using a quantitative, descriptive-correlational methodology and with the purpose of verifying the relationship between institutional strategies carried out based on public policies and the SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals in higher education institutions. It was carried out in a context linked to the 2030 Agenda and the national regulatory framework that requires universities to take an active position in relation to sustainable development. Results and discussion: This social problem lies in the fact that it is not known to what extent these institutional strategic actions, designed based on public policies, are related, from the perspective of impact, with the connection of the SDGs and their incorporation into academic, administrative, and curricular management. Despite the formal acceptance of these goals by many universities, there is a gap between declaration and practice, which raises questions about the coherence and suitability of universities from the perspective of the challenges posed by sustainable development. A review of data suggests a positive correlation between the two variables. Conclusions: It was found that universities that implement planned strategies aligned with public policies have greater integration of the SDGs into their own practices. Importantly, the results highlight the relationship between the formal adoption of SDGs (written in strategic documents) and the existence of organizational structures that ensure their implementation.