The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has introduced a fully online and free short learning programme 'Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)' for students and members of the public.

The course explores the contested nature of the sustainable development discourse by highlighting the core features of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and responses to it, the university says.

Anyone with a Grade 12 certificate or higher can enrol for the course. There are no classes to attend, and all assessments are in the form of quizzes. There are five units to complete, and a digital certificate will be issued on successful completion, which may be viewed and shared with third parties or possible employers through the UJ Digital Certificate platform.

The course is part of UJ's commitment to provide alternative means of acquiring insight into how sustainability has been perceived, as well as a thorough introduction to the SDGs, including what they are, how progress can be scaled and how the SDGs play a role in the management of the global systems supporting humanity.

“For the first time in our planet’s history, we humans are threatening the climate system, the water system and the ocean system, as well as others. Human activities, like burning fossil fuels and changing land use, are causing the climate to shift, which threatens our planet’s ability to support life.

“These crises are our creations and require our actions to change them. To solve these problems, the world agreed on 17 SDGs to help protect our planet and those who live on it,” says UJ Academic deputy vice-chancellor Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi.

“This course, developed by the UJ Academic Development and Support division, is part of the university’s initiatives to help participants gain access to vital knowledge. In doing so, the course is also fostering a much-needed social shift that will feed into global efforts towards sustainability and the SDGs.”

UJ has intensified its outreach with part- and full-time and fully online short learning programmes to help upskill and reskill people for current and future jobs, in line with UJ’s Global Excellence and Stature 4.0 strategic objective, underpinned by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the university adds.