All members of society share a responsibility in advancing sustainability and safeguarding the environment, thereby contributing to a healthier and more equitable world for current and future generations. At ASOIU, there is a firm institutional commitment to enhancing environmental performance—an objective that can only be achieved through the collective efforts of our entire academic community.

    Whether you are a member of the academic staff or a student, you are encouraged to deepen your understanding of sustainability and climate change by enrolling in one or more of the educational programmes featured here. These courses are designed to enhance your awareness of sustainability-related issues and equip you with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions that reduce your personal environmental footprint.

    Research has shown that engaging in educational activities not only increases knowledge but also contributes to improved psychological well-being, higher levels of life satisfaction, and a greater sense of personal efficacy. Lifelong learning, in particular, has been consistently linked with enhanced individual resilience and overall well-being, reinforcing the importance of continuous education as a catalyst for both personal and societal development.

Staff Enviromental Sustainability Training

    An online training module has been specifically designed to equip all University staff with the essential knowledge and skills required to contribute positively to environmental sustainability. This module outlines the environmental and energy-related impacts associated with day-to-day activities, clarifies individual responsibilities in managing these impacts, and emphasizes the importance of collective action in improving environmental performance.

    Completion of this training is compulsory for all staff members. It must first be undertaken as part of the induction process upon joining the University. In addition, the University organises a monthly central induction session for new employees, during which the Sustainable Development Office team delivers a 20-minute in-person presentation on the University's sustainability initiatives. These sessions also serve as an opportunity to respond to questions and engage with sustainability-related ideas shared by new staff.

    Access to the training module is available via a secure link, using your University login credentials.

The module covers the following key areas:

• The University’s Sustainability Vision
• Sustainable Travel: Incentives for low-carbon transport, cycling facilities, and policies on business travel
• Energy and Water: University targets and strategies for usage reduction
• Resource Use, Recycling and Waste Management: Principles of the Waste Hierarchy

    If you require further training tailored to your specific role—whether related to waste management, energy efficiency, sustainable travel, or identifying environmental risks—please contact the Sustainable Development Office team at sustainability@asoiu.edu.az.

Training Module Features:

• You may begin the module at any time and revisit the questions as frequently as needed.
• Progress can be bookmarked and resumed later.
• The module takes approximately 20 minutes to complete in a single session.
• The staff has to complete 18 hours of mandatory course annually.
• Upon completion, your training status will be automatically recorded in the LMS system.

STAFF TRAINING ON THE SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY

    To further promote inclusive and equitable practices within the University, a complementary training module focusing on the social dimension of sustainability is now available for all staff.

This training explores the interconnections between sustainability and:

• Social justice and equity
• Diversity and inclusion
• Human rights in the workplace and beyond
• Health, well-being, and community engagement
• Ethical leadership and institutional responsibility

    This course provides tools for recognizing social sustainability challenges in professional and academic environments and identifies pathways for embedding these principles into everyday university operations.

    Access to the training module is available via a secure link, using your University login credentials.

Training Highlights:

• Designed to align with global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDGs 3, 4, 5, and 10).
• Includes case studies and best practices from universities globally.
• Completion time: 30–40 minutes
• The staff has to complete 18 hours of mandatory course annually.
• Certification is issued upon completion and recorded in the LMS.

Students Sustainability Training

    The University has integrated sustainability education into its student induction programme through a variety of formats, ensuring that all new students are informed about institutional sustainability policies, priorities, and how they can contribute meaningfully both on campus and in their personal lives.

To achieve this, we employ several communication and engagement methods:

• The Student Alliance for Sustainability actively participates in key events during Welcome Week, engaging directly with new students to raise awareness about sustainability efforts at the University.
• Sustainability information is included in the Welcome Booklet, which is distributed to all incoming students. This provides an accessible overview of the University’s sustainability strategy and guidance on how students can adopt environmentally responsible practices from the outset of their academic journey.
• The Student Alliance for Sustainability actively organizing short term courses related to Climate Change, Environmental Issues and Sustainability to raise awareness among students.
• We have also developed a concise 1-minute video that offers practical tips on how students can reduce their environmental impact while living at ASOIU. This video encourages students to reflect on their own habits and consider steps they can take to support the University’s sustainability goals. For ease of use, the video can be paused at any time by pressing the space bar or clicking on the screen, allowing viewers to review the content at their own pace.
  
  

    Students are encouraged not only to watch the video but also to share their personal commitments to sustainability—helping to cultivate a greener, more environmentally conscious ASOIU community.