Results and Experiences in the Process of Making Universities Sustainable

The Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) hosted the conference “Results and Experiences in the Process of Making Universities Sustainable” on October 4, 2023, marking one year since the founding of the Sustainability Platform of Hungarian Universities. Representatives from 11 institutions, including Corvinus University of Budapest, University of Pecs and Semmelweis University, shared best practices in areas such as energy management, waste reduction, and sustainable transport, emphasizing collaboration over competition in building a sustainable higher education system.

In his opening remarks, Rector Tibor Czigány highlighted BME’s progress, including the elimination of single-use plastics, reducing plastic waste by over 10 tons annually. Vice-Rector János Levendovszky underscored universities’ key role in driving cultural and behavioral change toward sustainability, noting BME’s achievement of 198th place in the QS Sustainability Rankings.

Presentations from across Hungary showcased initiatives such as sustainability-focused curricula, circular economy projects, environmental education, and health-centered sustainability approaches. Afternoon sessions featured BME-led demonstrations on plastic recycling, green building materials, nuclear energy, sustainable electronics, solar cell innovation, and mobility planning.

The event reinforced the idea that universities are catalysts for social transformation, combining education, research, and innovation to advance sustainability in alignment with the SDGs.