At McMaster, our commitment to education about the the UN Sustainable Development Goals is woven throughout courses in all faculties, in our public programming and events, and community engagement activities.  

McMaster University is committed to integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across its courses, ensuring that students from all faculties are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to address global challenges. With 40% of graduate and undergraduate courses embedded with SDG education, McMaster is actively aligning its teaching with its mission to serve the social, cultural, and economic needs of our community and society.  

The focus on SDGs related to health and wellbeing (SDG 3 – 31% of undergraduate courses), inequality (SDG 10 – 33% of undergraduate courses), and peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16 – 28% of undergraduate courses) highlights McMaster’s dedication to fostering an environment where academic learning meets societal needs. This approach resonates with the university’s mission to nurture creativity, innovation, and excellence, aiming to empower students to make meaningful contributions to society.

For the undergraduate class of 2024, 93% of graduands would have enrolled in at least one course that actively promotes SDGs. This highlights our students’ interest in addressing global sustainability challenges and provides a solid foundation for advancing our commitment to sustainability and education.

The emphasis on inclusive excellence, community engagement, and interdisciplinary learning showcases McMaster’s strategy to create a learning experience centered around fostering collective well-being and societal impact. By recognizing the SDGs within the curriculum, McMaster is setting the stage for students and faculty to collaborate on innovative solutions to pressing local, national, and global issues.

McMaster’s Academic Sustainability Programs Office is a central resource for many of the innovative educational programs offered at the undergraduate and graduate level, including the Interdisciplinary Minor in Sustainability, the project-based Sustainable Future Program and the Sustainability Internship Program that enables all students to apply their knowledge about sustainability to address real-world problems.