Crossing Borders, Building Futures: Venezuela Hosts Its First National Workshop on Sustainable Universities
On September 26–27, 2025, Venezuela held its first-ever National Workshop on Sustainable Universities, hosted by Universidad Privada Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacín (URBE) in collaboration with the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. Held in a hybrid format at the Universitaria campus in Maracaibo, the event brought together university leaders, researchers, and sustainability advocates to advance climate-conscious, socially inclusive practices across higher education.
The two-day workshop featured more than 25 lectures, keynote speeches, book baptisms, and institutional showcases. Universities from across Venezuela shared best practices aligned with UI GreenMetric’s six core indicators: infrastructure, energy, waste, water, transportation, and education. It marked a turning point in national efforts to integrate sustainability into teaching, research, and campus operations.
Joining the event virtually from Indonesia, UI GreenMetric Chairperson Dr. Vishnu Juwono and Vice Chair Dr. Abellia Anggi Wardani expressed strong support for Venezuelan universities to embrace the ranking and collaborate in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Their presence underscored the truly global nature of the GreenMetric framework, which now connects institutions across continents through shared data and climate action.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Diana Belloso Montiel, Rector of URBE, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to sustainability as a strategic pillar of transformation. Keynotes from Dr. Luis Arrias and Dr. José Solano further emphasized the urgency of institutional leadership in climate resilience and green innovation, especially in the context of Venezuela’s evolving academic landscape.
Representatives from major universities—including UCV, ULA, USB, UNEG, and others—actively contributed ideas and initiatives, demonstrating a strong national commitment to environmental responsibility. From green building to digital inclusion, their presentations showcased local responses to global challenges.
Participants were also reminded that data submission for the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025 remains open until 31 October. All universities are encouraged to take part in this global initiative and benchmark their progress. The official results will be announced in Taiwan in early December 2025, marking another milestone in global collaboration for a more sustainable higher education system