3: Sustainability Hub for Engaging Stakeholders: A Case Study

As unique organisations integrating education, research, innovation, and impact missions, higher education institutions (HEIs) are essential players in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Being mandated by stakeholders, HEIs have a critical role in achieving the SDGs and can do more to connect their work with the communities. In their practices, HEIs embrace sustainability challenges by integrating diverse fields of study and research and fostering collaboration. This chapter explores universities’ role as hubs encompassing diverse fields of study and research, each contributing to the sustainability agenda, and engaging external stakeholders in collaboration. The case study concerns the Sustainability Hub at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), Lithuania. Searching for a nexus where academic expertise converges with societal needs and environmental imperatives, the Hub’s concept emerges. Its main role is to nurture and promote a sustainability-focused mindset and culture within the university and beyond. The Hub catalyses action on a range of SDGs by facilitating collaboration between internal and external stakeholders. It serves as a multidisciplinary platform for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary research, and community initiatives to address sustainability challenges. By harnessing stakeholders’ expertise and resources, the Hub facilitates challenge-based learning in sustainability education. SDG12 action, promoting responsible consumption and production, is a key focus. Solving real-world challenges encourages students to adopt sustainable practices personally and professionally. An interdisciplinary summer school demonstrates this collaboration model. The case shows that the Hub approach is effective both conceptually and practically, and that universities can capitalise on their unique position in the ecosystem.