KSU greets the setting up of the Institute for Sustainable Development. KSU has consistently believed in the importance of Sustainable Development and how this approach has to be present in the various aspects of society and economy. Apart from issuing statements like the Reaction to the Copenhagen Convention, KSU has signed a Green Pact with Greenhouse, a university student organisation dealing with the environment, in order to commit itself with safeguarding humankind’s environmental capital to posterity.

An opportunity

The institute will surely be beneficial to students, researchers and academics alike. The institute’s aim also sets an example of how University should develop and evolve.  It is also shows the important role University and responsibility this institution has in society.

Reaserch and Development and Innovation

Reacting to the Climate Change Committee (CCC)’s National Strategy for Policy and Abatement Measures Relating to the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (2009), that is a contemporary issue related to sustainability and sustainable development, KSU Environmental Policy 2009 outlined important recommendations made by the committee which dealt with the role of University and the contribution this institution can give to society. Section 04.2 of the aforementioned document highlights the importance of Research and Development and Innovation. The recommendations made by CCC have been used to mould the government’s action. This was in light of the National Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation: 2007 – 2010 that proposed 12 recommendations on the role the University can play in the area of Research and Innovation. The setting up of the Institute for Sustainable Development is a huge step in the recommended direction. The scope will be much wider than the issue of climate change and will incorporate more themes and areas of interest.

Information Technology

The Institute aims to see a better use Information Technology, promoting tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in order to support policy-making and decision-making. This field of study is an emerging discipline and conforms to our country’s national priorities. Particularly in the case of GIS it will put forward notions of spatial analysis, an essential ingredient for better strategies for management.

Business and Entrepreneurship

The institute also provides to encourage ‘science and technology commercialisation to enhance infrastructures, productivity and entrepreneurship’. The gap between the University and job market has always been a concern for students. It is for these reasons that KSU has supported the idea of private investment within the University such as the Trust Fund. KSU greets that the vision directing the Institute clearly gives a central role to this most important aspect.

Interdisciplinarity

Without any doubt, the best aspect of the Institute is its adoption of interdisciplinarity. It is only through this approach that sustainable development can be promoted appropriately. KSU augurs that this approach will be enhanced in other bodies within University since it is only when collaborating together that the best results can be attained. Interdisciplinarity is the best guarantee for holistic approach to research, an approach that is ideal when dealing with sustainable development.

Quality of Life

Finally but not least, the scope of the institute, its work, projects and research will aim to increase the quality of life on our island and within our community. Policies and decisions taken in order to attain sustainable development have to be person-oriented. Increasing the quality of life means that not only the country should develop economically but also socially and environmentally, an improvement that will be beneficial not only to our generation but also to future generations.