Measuring and Strengthening Student Sustainability Literacy through Academic Research at UIN Jakarta

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta supports the development and assessment of sustainability-related knowledge through academic research, student surveys, environmental education, and interdisciplinary studies addressing the Sustainable Development Goals.

The University recognises that meaningful sustainability education requires not only providing learning opportunities but also evaluating how students understand environmental and sustainable development challenges. During 2024–2025, academic research conducted at UIN Jakarta examined students' understanding of renewable energy, environmental pollution, environmental knowledge, sustainable consumption, and pro-environmental attitudes.

1. Assessing Student Understanding of Renewable Energy and SDG 7

In December 2024, academic research at UIN Jakarta examined students' understanding of renewable energy and its relationship with sustainable development. The research, entitled Student Perceptions in Supporting Sustainable Development Programmes in the Renewable Energy Sector, explored how students understood renewable-energy concepts and their integration into university learning.

The findings indicated that participating students understood fundamental concepts of renewable energy, including solar and wind energy, their environmental benefits, and their contribution to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. The study also identified areas requiring further development, particularly the translation of sustainability knowledge into practical skills and environmentally responsible behaviour.

This research provides documented evidence of academic evaluation of students' understanding of a specific Sustainable Development Goal.

2. Measuring Students' Ability to Analyse Environmental Pollution

In June 2024, another academic study evaluated the written argumentation skills of 114 Chemistry Education students concerning environmental pollution. The research used seven articles presenting different perspectives on socioscientific environmental issues.

Students were assessed on their ability to develop arguments using claims, supporting information, and reasoning. The study found that 60 percent of participants were at argumentation level two, indicating a need to strengthen their ability to develop more comprehensive arguments about environmental challenges.

This research demonstrates the use of structured academic instruments to evaluate students' understanding and reasoning concerning environmental sustainability.

3. Evaluating Environmental Knowledge across Faculties

UIN Jakarta further strengthened its evidence base through research published in October 2025 examining students' environmental knowledge and attitudes. The study involved 400 students from six faculties on the University's main campus.

Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, with quantitative findings analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The research reported that approximately 56 percent of respondents demonstrated a high level of environmental knowledge, while approximately 93 percent demonstrated environmentally caring attitudes.

These findings provide quantitative evidence of students' environmental knowledge and attitudes across multiple academic disciplines. The study also illustrates the value of systematic assessment for identifying educational strengths and areas requiring improvement.

4. Expanding Sustainability Knowledge Assessment across Disciplines

Other academic research conducted during 2024–2025 examined sustainability-related concepts within different fields of study. These included student perceptions of sustainability reporting, environmentally responsible behaviour, ecological knowledge, and sustainable food consumption.

Research on sustainable food consumption, for example, involved 80 Chemistry Education students and examined the relationship between sustainability knowledge and food-consumption preferences. Research in the Faculty of Da'wah and Communication examined ecological knowledge and environmental concern among students.

Together, these studies demonstrate the relevance of sustainability-related knowledge assessment across different academic disciplines.

5. Strengthening Institutional Sustainability Literacy Measurement

The University's published research demonstrates that sustainability-related knowledge and competencies have been assessed among selected groups of students. These assessments provide valuable academic evidence and contribute to understanding students' awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues.

However, the reviewed documentation does not yet establish a single institution-wide sustainability-literacy assessment programme covering the general student population. Further coordination between the Green Campus Development Centre, academic departments, and the Institute for Quality Assurance could strengthen consistency in assessment methods, reporting periods, and learning outcomes.

A common assessment framework would enable the University to compare results across faculties and monitor changes in students' sustainability knowledge over time.

6. Contribution to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta demonstrates academic engagement in measuring aspects of student sustainability literacy through documented research and evaluation activities. Studies conducted during 2024 assessed students' understanding of renewable energy and their ability to analyse environmental pollution.

Additional studies published in 2025 measured environmental knowledge, attitudes, ecological awareness, and sustainable consumption-related understanding.

Together, these research activities provide evidence that sustainability-related knowledge and competencies have been measured among student groups at UIN Jakarta. These findings establish a valuable foundation for developing a comprehensive institutional sustainability-literacy assessment framework in support of SDG 17 Indicator 17.4.4.

Source :
https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/handle/123456789/82854 
https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/handle/123456789/80120 
https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/handle/123456789/88899 
https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/handle/123456789/88221 
https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/bitstream/123456789/74788/1/11190162000076_Manda%20Rahmawanti_Skripsi%20Hubungan%20Pengetaahuan%20Keberlanjutan%20Energi%20dan%20Pr.pdf 
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/cms-academic/sites/default/files/2025-08/THE.SustainabilityImpactRatings.METHODOLOGY.2026.v2.pdf