SGDs (Sustainable Development Goals) in Telkom University

By Lintar Alvisyahmulya Sukoco

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a development that improves the quality of the environment and the social life of the community, making them a good system to have in a community or society to raise standards there, particularly at universities. This article offers suggestions revolving around SDGs that could be applied at Telkom University. Telkom University is one of the best top private universities in Indonesia, according to UNIRANK, but does it already meet the standards for upholding the sustainability of social life and the quality of the environment, particularly in this time of highly developed technology? then, what can Telkom University do or implement to make the environment and the social life of the community more sustainable?

After three months at Telkom University, there are undoubtedly some positive and negative aspects that may be improved. The idea or point regarding the SDGs that will be considered and can be implemented in Telkom University revolves around the subject of diversity, environmental movements, renewable energy, restriction of the use of automobiles in Telkom University.

Indonesia is arguably the most geographically and culturally diverse country in the world and some describe that Indonesia as the most diverse country in the world. With over 17,000 islands spread across the Pacific and Indian Ocean, and home to more than 200 ethnic groups with over 300 spoken languages. Telkom University welcomes students from all throughout Indonesia, making it a highly comfortable space for diversity. There are also some international students that comes from across the world who attends in Telkom University. So it is clear to be said that the SDGs around the diversity in Telkom University is very safe and should always be this way.

Telkom University has a wonderful environment and is already concerned about the environment because there are many trees throughout the campus, particularly near the third and fourth gates, where it is wonderful to have a green campus, especially because there are some factories close to Telkom University. Telkom University has some environmental movements too, the convenience store inside Telkom University, for example, they didn't give the customer a plastic bag, which is great because many convenience stores in Bandung still do. Plastic bags are very bad for the environment, so I think it's a good idea to make people start bringing a cloth bag with them when they go shopping. The only thing that worries me is the lack of trash cans near the campus, therefore my recommendation is to add more trash cans there. Thankfully enough, even though there is fewer trash cans there, the campus still looks clean, and there isn't much garbage there. The availability of additional mineral water dispensers would also be beneficial, encouraging students to carry their own water bottles so they can refill rather than purchasing a new mineral water bottle. And if we are talking about the learning environment in Telkom University, it is very enjoyable since students got facilitated by a free internet connection and a library.

Another positive aspect that I believe very useful is that the campus has many canteens and clean water, making it very convenient for students to eat there, particularly in cases where students have the option to pay through QRIS, which, in my opinion, is more convenient because you can just pay the exact amount, and the majority of students have their money transferred through bank.

The next topic is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding renewable energy, and Telkom University has already implemented some power plants that do so, such as the solar power plant that is situated at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering building and the generator building of the Faculty of Engineering. Telkom University has made advancements in the use of waste generated on campus, including both organic waste (tree leaves) and inorganic waste, by constructing a garbage power production incinerator. Telkom University is also establishing a wind energy generation. Telkom University's utilization of renewable energy to produce electricity is wonderful, and I hope they expand the number of these power plants they install.

The last topic is about the vehicle at Telkom University. On campus, there is a vehicle called TUC that students can use to get around. I think it's great that something like this can help students get to go somewhere faster, but I feel like Indonesians in general have become really lazy and just use their motorbikes to get around, even when the distance between locations is not that far, and this causes pollution. Therefore, in my opinion, it would be beneficial if Telkom University started requiring its students to walk or use bicycles to get around the campus where cars and motorcycles are parked in front of the campus. By doing this, it gives a lot of benefits, such as forcing students to arrive at classes earlier because getting there by foot takes more time, and if there are no cars and motorcycles inside the campus, the parking space can be used to more useful thing like creating a new building or something else. Consequently, I strongly suggest for Telkom University to implements this on campus so that it encourages students to exercise and reduces pollution.

In conclusion, Telkom University is a great campus and already fulfill the requirement to maintain the quality of the environment and the social life of the community, because students from all over the world can comfortably attend college there. Telkom University also cares deeply about the environment and has already implemented some power plants that use renewable energy to maintain the environment's sustainability and the community's social life. Telkom University might, however, adopt more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by increasing the number of renewable energy-powered power plants, reducing the use of plastic bags, and requiring students to walk around the campus.