Published 6 December 2024
Dr Natalie Oh, a Senior Lecturer at UNSW Business School, is taking steps to ensure sustainability education isn’t just a theoretical concept but a practical, transformative experience for her students. As an Education Focussed (EF) academic, Natalie has played a key role in developing and expanding the UN SDG Challenge for First-Year Students, a co-curricular initiative aimed at first-year Business School students to motivate and inspire them to grapple with complex social and environmental issues.
The UN SDG Challenge, which has successfully run for five consecutive years, consistently attracts over 100+ enthusiastic first-year participants. The sustained interest in the program reflects its appeal and alignment with student aspirations.
A practical approach to teaching sustainability
The 2024 finals, held on 20 September at EY’s Sydney office, marked the largest iteration of the challenge since its launch in 2020. Supported by industry partners including EY and Snowy Hydro, the competition engaged over 180 first-year students, with 33 teams submitting solutions to this year’s case: How can renewable energy developers support regional communities post-construction to ensure long-term economic resilience and sustainability?
Purposely designed as a co-curricular initiative, the UN SDG Challenge goes beyond traditional learning opportunities by adopting a tripartite teaching method that brings together community groups, student societies, and industry. This unique structure distinguishes the initiative, as collaborating with community groups instills empathy in students, linking them with real-world challenges and sparking their intrinsic motivation to excel.
Partnerships with student societies are pivotal in crafting and executing the initiative, as peer-led learning creates a safe space for students to learn and fosters genuine enthusiasm for global issues. The approach relieves students from traditional exam pressures while providing a platform for them to engage deeply with sustainability topics. Ongoing mentorship from industry leaders at Google and EY further enriches the student learning journey and encourages intrinsic motivation.
Integrating SDGs into curriculum
Natalie has been at the helm of this initiative since its inception, working closely with the student-led Global Consulting Group (GCG) to manage logistics, prepare participants, and strengthen links between students and industry. She credits her predecessor, Dr Louise Fitzgerald, for co-founding the challenge and establishing a framework that blends teaching with applied learning.
The program introduces students to consulting principles and collaborative problem-solving through workshops and mentoring. The final pitches in 2024, judged by representatives from UNSW, GCG, EY, and Snowy Hydro, showcased the students’ ability to create practical and scalable solutions.
This year’s winning team, EcoRev Consulting, impressed judges with their innovative approach to the Snowy Hydro challenge. The team members—Celine Hu, Selina Hsieh, Matias Winsbury, and Ryan Fung—received career counselling from EY, a site visit to Snowy Hydro, and fast-tracked access to GCG’s recruitment process.
“Embedding the SDGs in teaching helps students connect their studies with the pressing issues of today’s world,” Natalie explained. “The challenge provides a platform for them to develop skills in critical thinking, teamwork, and innovative problem-solving.”
Collaborative efforts
The success of the challenge reflects the power of collaboration between the university, students, and industry. GCG, a student-run consultancy providing pro bono services to not-for-profits, has been instrumental in mentoring participants and managing the event. Snowy Hydro’s involvement brought real-world complexity to this year’s challenge, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities).
“Students benefit immensely from working on live cases with direct input from industry partners,” Natalie said. “It gives them a sense of the real-world impact they can have through their ideas.”
A model for higher education
Natalie’s efforts exemplify how academics can lead innovative teaching initiatives that align with institutional goals and global challenges. The program’s growth demonstrates its relevance, not only as an educational tool but as a means of preparing students for careers where sustainability is central.
Reflecting on the competition’s broader purpose, Natalie added: “We’re not just equipping students with knowledge; we’re preparing them to think critically and act responsibly in a rapidly changing world.”
As sustainability becomes a priority in higher education globally, programs like UNSW’s SDG Challenge highlight the value of bringing real-world challenges into the classroom. For Natalie and the UNSW Business School, it’s a step toward ensuring graduates are ready to contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable future.⬛
WATCH: UNSW SDG Challenge for First Years 2024 video
This article is written by Apple Davalos.