The Sustainable Development Goals in the governance of the university of Pinar del Río, Cuba

Abstract

The incorporation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into university governance represents a challenge in guiding institutional management toward sustainability, territorial coordination, and social responsibility. This article describes the institutional experience related to the incorporation of the SDGs into the governance of the University of Pinar del Río (UPR). A qualitative study with a descriptive-analytical scope was conducted. Theoretical, regulatory, and institutional references were integrated through documentary analysis, historical-logical analysis, a systems approach, modeling, analysis-synthesis, and induction-deduction. The institutional characterization was organized using a SWOT matrix to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to the incorporation of the SDGs into university governance. The analysis revealed favorable institutional capacities for SDG implementation, although limitations persist regarding resources, training, monitoring and evaluation, internationalization, and the use of emerging technologies. Based on these findings, twelve strategic recommendations were formulated to strengthen planning, university processes, partnerships, training, and monitoring mechanisms. It is concluded that the cross-cutting integration of the SDGs into UPR governance requires systematic, context-sensitive management aligned with institutional planning, university processes, and mechanisms for evaluation and accountability.