Sustainable Development Course at IUS: Empowering Students to Address Global Challenges
Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development (HUM100) course has emerged as a highly sought-after elective at the International University of Sarajevo (IUS). In Spring semester 2023, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aliaksandr Novikau from the Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) study program, guided students through an enlightening journey in sustainable development.
The course’s primary objective was to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of sustainable development. Leveraging the innovative 17 Rooms Initiative methodology, the course explored the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This methodology utilizes visual representations to underscore the interconnectedness among various goals, emphasizing their profound impact on social, environmental, and economic systems.
Engaging in thought-provoking case studies, students immersed themselves in the complexities and nuances of sustainable development.
The course shed light on the diverse contributions of individuals, communities, and organizations in promoting sustainable development, providing students with a holistic perspective on the subject matter. Upon completion of the course, students emerged with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development principles and acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate initiatives to foster a sustainable future critically. The main goal of introducing such a subject into the university curriculum is to equip students with knowledge about sustainable development and prepare them to respond to the pressing challenges our global community is facing. As an educational institution, IUS wants in this way to contribute and work towards a brighter and more sustainable future for everyone.
Students embarked on an exciting group project as part of their final assignment. This project required them to develop a thoroughly researched, feasible, and practical plan to tackle a problem related to IUS while contributing to SDGs. The projects focused on issues that could realistically be addressed within the IUS campus or by collaborating with the University as the key partner. These projects exemplify our students’ creativity, critical thinking, and dedication to addressing sustainable development challenges.
The student projects covered a wide range of topics, reflecting their passion and commitment to sustainable development. Some examples include:
- Preserving local biodiversity by Bakir Abaspahić and Ahmed Hasanica;
- Improving gender equality at IUS by Adina Aletić and Amina Džinalija;
- Healthy lifestyle by Malik Babić and Saima Mušić;
- Good health and well-being: Mental health among IUS students by Reyhan Cankaya and Nilgun Kaya;
- The encouragement of better mental health support on campus by Fatima M’walidi and Lejla Ćatić;
- Responsible consumption and production at IUS by Nedim Tahirović and Sumeja Čoko;
- How sensor water taps can save water;
- Climate change by Berina Nuhanović and Nura Džanko;
- Recycling at the International University of Sarajevo by Merve Eroglu and Furkan Sutcu;
- Organic garden: Sustainable agriculture for the university community by Amina Lemeš and Samija Hadžić;
- Reducing plastic waste on IUS campus by Adna Handžić & Amna Kustura;
- Healthy food options at IUS by Adna Kikanović and Anida Hasanbegović;
- Creating a book exchange space for students at IUS by Laura Lucević and Elvedina Hodžić;
- Roma population in Bosnia and Herzegovina by Ceren Eylül Suslu and Suhejla Ibrišević;
- Empowering rural communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina by Refik Olcay Tayyar and Yeşim İnce;
- Mental health: Raising awareness of students’ mental health condition by Merjem Ljubijankić and Ajna Kepić-Patković;
- Recreational sports clubs by Adnan Mušanović and Lamija Kožo;
- Spreading awareness about the importance of mental health at IUS by Bedrija Patković and Naida Redžović;
- Industrial waste at IUS by Edina Spahić and Enes Bayazit;
- Zero waste for a better future by Yavuz Emre Çelik;
- Implementing a campus-wide recycling program at IUS by Adem Mujan;
- Mini hydro power plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina by Nedim Redžović.
