UCP and Sustainable Development

UCP is a multidimensional higher education institution in Pakistan. In addition to education, UCP emphasizes global welfare, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and sustainable practice in academic and operational spheres. These are the top four key areas on which UCP focuses to positively impact society.  

4 Key Areas in Focus at UCP 

As one of the top private universities of Lahore, the University of Central Punjab (UCP) believes in quality education with richness in the academic sphere and social grooming.  To fulfil this statutory duty and to achieve the goals of social service, UCP focuses on  

• Academic programmes and initiatives 

• Research and development (R&D) initiatives 

• Collaboration between academia and industry 

• Interaction between academic institutions and community 

In this regard, UCP has identified and pursued 17 sustainable development goals (SDG) to serve Pakistani society to some extra length. These SDGs follow the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals.  

Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty 

UCP is working rigorously to promote equal access to education and combat societal challenges. This sustainable development goal (SDG) is fulfilled by the quality provision of various scholarships based on merit, need, disability, and active participation in extracurricular activities.  

Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger 

UCP supports local farmers and ethical food by sourcing locally farmed food products. Furthermore, we subsidise the cost of food for our students and faculty. Food quality is maintained safely to serve the SDG of Zero Hunger.  

Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health & Wellbeing 

 Aligning the actions to complete our third SDG, UCP ensures our campus is smoke-free and drug-free. We are certified by the local regulatory authorities. 

UCP houses the life sciences and pharmacy facilities and runs various programmes regularly. For instance, there are AIDS prevention programmes and health awareness campaigns. Furthermore, collaboration with health sector authorities and the arrangement of blood donation camps are also part of paying our community back.  

UCP also provides affordable accommodation for girls with special needs and disabilities within our on-campus hostels. There are ramps, wheelchairs, ground-floor teaching rooms, and lifts in every university building.  

Another step UCP took in 2023-24 was arranging a mental health community camp at General Hospital. Dr. Shazia Hassan and the team led this camp. Interrelated health determinants were discussed, including diverse personal, social, economic, and cultural determinants.  

Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education 

In addition to the other sustainable development goals (SDG) for quality education, UCP believes that quality education is a basic right for every child in our society. For this, UCP provides intellectually groomed and knowledgeable students to society with its massive undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programmes.  

UCP looks forward to becoming a fifth-generation university standing tall on the grounds of research, innovation, and community engagement.  

To fulfil the education needs in Pakistan, UCP remained involved in the following endeavours.  

• UCP Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 

• Ideas Conclave 

• Takhleeq- Business Incubator 

• Collaboration with the School of Communication Malaysia 

Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality 

The remarkable contributions of women entrepreneurs to global economic growth and poverty reduction cannot be overstated. Recently, in 2023, the vibrant setting of Takhleeq x Startup Grind Lahore provided the perfect backdrop for a meaningful and insightful discussion with approximately 45 inspiring female entrepreneurs from the corporate sector.  

The event highlighted the invaluable role of women in shaping economies and underscored the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive ecosystem for their entrepreneurial endeavours. The diverse experiences and perspectives shared during the event served as a powerful testament to the transformative power of women-led entrepreneurship, emphasising the need for continued efforts to promote their participation in the global business landscape. 

Furthermore, UCP ensures complete safety and 100% merit-based admissions to ensure gender equality is practised correctly.  

Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation 

UCP is quite serious about this sustainability and development goal (SDG) of ensuring the availability of clean and safe water on the university campus. Furthermore, the university strictly prohibits the consumption of frizzy drinks.  

UCP has taken a significant step toward clean water by installing RO filtration plants. We are also quite serious about settling savages and ensuring sanitation.  

Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 

In compliance with the SDG of clean energy, UCP is a pioneer educational institution in Pakistan, integrating solar panels throughout its buildings. The Solar setup at UCP contributes around 512kWH while covering around 75% of its campus consumption. Other details are readable at   

Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work Economic Growth 

In addition to education, UCP also prepares students for various professions. With multiple practices, UCP aims to add productive young blood to the national stream. At the same time, UCP is an equal opportunity employer.  

Diverse workshops are part of this economic growth sustainable development goal. 

Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 

While academic excellence is our topmost priority, we also work for close industry connections. For this, there are internship programmes, student societies, and collaborations on the level of industry and academia.  

Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities 

UCP also works to reduce inequalities, which is part of sustainability development goal 10. In 2022, UCP took many steps to provide equal opportunities for all.  

Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities 

We at UCP are closely concerned about the sustainability of our cities and communities. Therefore, UCP tries its best to play its role in this SDG.  

UCP infrastructure ensures community safety. Furthermore, our students are trained to use and employ sustainable methodologies and materials to promote safe and sustainable environments.   

Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production 

In addition to solid measures on campus, UCP takes reasonable steps to promote responsible consumption and production. We have banned frizzy drinks and provided clean water, as discussed above.  

We also promote other steps; you can go through the details.  

Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action 

Global warming and climate change are significant issues at the UCP. Our academia knows the importance of saving the climate and combatting climate change. Our Office of Sustainability partners with faculties and other external bodies to arrange awareness seminars.   

Some of the noteworthy Steps follow. 

• FoST-Pak Green Enviro Partnership 

• Plant Growth Chamber 

• Campaigns for Climate Action  

• Industrial Tour to National Agricultural Research Council & Quaid-e-Azam University.  

Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water 

UCP strongly advocates for Pakistan’s running waters and lands. Therefore, various expert-led practices and seminars are arranged to make students aware of safeguarding underwater life, which complies with the 14th SDG.  

Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land 

To ensure the safety of life on Land, our faculty of life sciences arranges lessons to share the importance of non-human species on this land. The following are components to meet the SDG.  

• Research  

• Awareness Seminars 

• Volunteers in Service (VIS) Departmental Steps  

Our World Environment Day is coming soon; we have more for your awareness! 

Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions 

Law, political science, and international relations faculties impart essential knowledge and skills among the students to fulfil their future career roles. Furthermore, the moot court competition and UCP’s 1st intra-mock trial competition on cyber security are some of the steps taken at UCP to perform the duties to achieve SDG no 16. The 1st intra-mock trial was overseen by eight renowned adjudicators, including Nighat Dad, Aurangzeb Daha, Shahid Jamal Tabrezy, and Haziq Ali Khan.  

Sustainable Development Goals 17: Partnership for the Goals  

UCP is strongly dedicated to cultivating partnerships and enthusiastically urges its faculty and students to interact with educational establishments at both national and international levels. This dedication aims to enrich their comprehension of global knowledge, science, and the fundamental principles of sustainability, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which form the foundation for the remaining 16 objectives. 

Strategic collaborations with national and international bodies are a part of this cultivation.  

Conclusion 

UCP always plays its role in social and academic advancements and progress. With these 17 sustainable development goals, UCP is trying to repay the community. Stay tuned for more updates, and you can apply for admissions as Fall Admissions 2024 is on the go!