Sustainability in Federal Universities: An analysis based on management reports

Abstract

This study examines the integration of sustainability in Brazilian federal universities based on the analysis of 2022 management reports. In the current global scenario, the integration of environmental and social sustainability into the policies of higher education institutions is crucial. Brazil's federal universities play a vital role in nurturing leaders and producing knowledge that can positively influence society and the environment. This study questions how these institutions are incorporating sustainability into their management strategies, contributing to a more sustainable future. The study aims to analyze how Brazilian federal universities approach sustainability in their activities and decisions, using the 2022 management reports as a basis. The research is descriptive in nature and involved the selection of 12 recently created federal universities, whose 2022 management reports were analyzed. Content analysis was performed in two stages: coding and interpretation. The actions described in the reports were categorized into themes related to sustainability, including education, planning, control, technology, infrastructure, collective applicability, and administrative actions. Of the 12 reports analyzed, 8 universities demonstrated a commitment to sustainability, dedicating specific chapters to this theme. The economic dimension was the one that presented the most actions, with 78 initiatives identified, reflecting a conscious strategy to ensure financial and operational sustainability. The analysis reveals that Brazilian federal universities are increasingly integrating sustainability into their operations and management. Economic initiatives stand out as fundamental for the viability of institutions, promoting a virtuous cycle of sustainable development.