At the University of Victoria, advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a key priority. These 17 global goals call for collective action to end poverty, reduce inequality, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all.
Our 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Social
These goals focus on improving the well-being of people, encompassing areas like poverty eradication, hunger reduction, health, education, gender equality and peace.
Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. Our short training programs empower individuals to upskill and reskill, opening doors to better job opportunities and higher wages.
We keep our tuition affordable and offer financial support through bursaries and funded training opportunities for those facing financial challenge.
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The Fundamentals for the Homelessness Serving Sector micro-certificate provides accessible, specialized training for professionals supporting individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Each year, our division supports the university student food bank through direct contributions and initiatives like Giving Tuesday and Stocktober.
International students studying English gain valuable insights into sustainability and the locavore movement while also having opportunities to volunteer with local farms and food kitchens.
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Beyond the Plate: Food, Culture and Social Impact explores food justice and how food shapes cultures, identities, and the environment.
Lifelong learning supports health and wellbeing by stimulating the mind, strengthening social bonds, and equipping individuals with knowledge to make informed health decisions. Community health and wellness courses are available year-round, online and in-person, covering relevant health topics that support stress reduction and overall well-being.
Our division also promotes a healthy workplace through flexible remote work options, ergonomic and accessible office spaces, and professional development opportunities centred on health, well-being, and personal growth.
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The Wound Care for Clients Experiencing Inequities micro-certificate equips health professionals with the skills to provide trauma-informed wound care for individuals who face systemic barriers to accessing traditional medical services or care.
Our core mandate in Continuing Studies at UVic is to provide high-quality, responsive education for adult learners. We apply Universal Design for Learning principles and follow web accessibility standards to ensure inclusivity and equal access. Our programs reflect diverse voices and lived experiences to enrich the learning environment.
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The English Language Centre (recipient of the BCCIE 2023 Outstanding Program in International Education Award) delivers award-winning English language programs that develop communication skills, enhance cultural competence, and prepare learners to be global citizens.
Applying a GBIA+ (Gender-Based Analysis Plus) lens in our course design means thoughtfully considering language, imagery, case studies, and teaching approaches to ensure gender-inclusive learning and marketing materials. In our division, 60 per cent of senior leadership roles are held by women.
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The Inclusive Leadership Strategies micro-certificate was developed through consultations with leaders in trades, health and safety, IT, and the military—fields seeking to promote women into leadership roles. Supporting new leaders is vital, but systemic change requires a shift in organizational culture.
Continuing Studies at UVic is committed to advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples by offering culturally appropriate learning opportunities that further reconciliation and decolonization, and reflect the perspectives of Indigenous learners.
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The Indigenous Language Revitalization certificate is an award-winning program delivered in Indigenous communities, on campus, or online. It provides practical strategies for preserving and revitalizing Indigenous languages by hiring local language speakers to work alongside faculty. The Indigenous Cultural Stewardship micro-certificate also focuses on the preservation of culture and heritage, with a focus on the museum, heritage and cultural sectors.
Continuing Studies at UVic is deeply rooted in the local community. We help our city and region thrive by offering community and professional programs that respond to local interests and needs.
Our homestay program places over 1,000 international students each year with 500+ local hosts. Hosts and students build lifelong connections that foster a greater understanding and appreciation of global diversity and citizenship.
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The Emergency Management for Organizational Continuity micro-certificate teaches participants how to plan for emergencies and maintain operations during a crisis. The Urban and Regional Planning workshop series explores contemporary topics like Lean Sigma, sustainable design, climate change adaptation, and resiliency.
Economic
These goals address issues related to economic growth, industry, innovation, infrastructure and reducing inequalities, aiming for sustainable and inclusive development.
We prioritize energy efficiency in our facilities through the use of LED lighting, energy-saving computer settings, and sustainable practices. As a part of orientation, international students at the English Language Centre also learn how to reduce energy and water consumption, and recycle effectively. We offer a wide range of programs that explore sustainability from multiple angles—environmental, social and economic.
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The Climate Action Planning micro-certificate supports professionals in leading the shift to clean energy by providing tools for policy planning and implementing behaviour change across sectors.
Flexible, accessible and affordable programs play a vital role in workforce development by helping individuals gain the skills needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving job market. By supporting career advancement, job readiness, and lifelong learning, we contribute to economic growth not only in our region but also across national and global communities.
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Our division offers over 75 professional programs that support individuals in upskilling or reskilling to access meaningful, well-paying employment.
Our learners seek education that blends theory with practice. That’s why we work with instructors who are subject matter experts, experienced professionals, and passionate about real-world application. Our academic teams collaborate with industries to co-create programs that respond to emerging needs—from technical offerings like the Applied AI micro-certificate to courses in entrepreneurship, leadership and management.
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Our Data Analytics for Management Science diploma equips learners with in-demand, transferrable technical and business skills relevant to almost any sector.
Almost everything we do—from education and training to marketing and administration—is online. While our carbon footprint was already relatively small, remote work has helped us further reduce it by going paperless wherever possible. We continuously seek ways to consume less and reduce more.
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Learners can skip the commute and choose from a wide range of convenient, online programs like the Tourism Sustainability micro-certificate, which teaches tourism professionals how to take meaningful steps towards climate adaptation.
Environmental
These goals focus on protecting the environment, including climate action, preserving ecosystems (both terrestrial and marine), and ensuring sustainable consumption and production.
Everyone in our building has access to clean water and updated facilities. Water fountains have been upgraded to include bottle-filling stations, and incoming international students receive a recyclable UVic water bottle to use on-campus and take home as a reminder of the university’s sustainability commitment.
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Employee health is contingent on environmental health. Our Environmental and Occupational Health certificate underscores the connection between employee well-being and environmental health, with a focus on clean water, sanitation, and workplace safety.
Climate action is a strategic priority for both UVic and our division. Many of our science and environment programs focus on mitigating the effects of climate change, including micro-certificates in LiDAR technology and Climate Activism.
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The Transformative Climate Action certificate brings together undergraduate students and professionals to develop tools and skills for influencing policy, plus driving change toward a more sustainable future.
Our coastal location offers an ideal setting to learn about marine life and ecosystems. Our marine sciences courses and programs examine the impact of human activity on the oceans.
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We partner with Oceans Network Canada (ONC) to support their innovative Ocean Acoustic Monitoring and Community Fishers Training programs.
From horticulture courses that promote native plant gardening and permaculture to ecological restoration programs developed with UVic’s School of Environmental Studies, we empower learners with tools to prevent and reverse land degradation.
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The Fire Ecology for Environmental Restoration micro-certificate equips learners with practical skills in wildfire restoration, including the Indigenous practise of controlled burns.
Institutional
These goals encompasses aspects like governance, partnerships and the establishment of strong institutions to support sustainable development efforts.
Intercultural education—including study abroad programs—fosters mutual understanding between cultures and builds bridges of peace, compassion and justice. The diplomas in Intercultural Studies and Practice and Social Justice Studies engage learners in critical conversations about systemic oppression and social responsibility.
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The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion micro-certificate equips participants with essential cross-cultural competencies to lead meaningful change within their organizations and support inclusive, equitable workplaces for all.
The Division of Continuing Studies collaborates with academic, industry and community partners—both locally and internationally—on educational initiatives that contribute to a better world for all. This includes our work with CIFAL Victoria to support training delivery and to accredit programs that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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The Depth Education series emerged from the research of the GTDF (Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures) collective, led by Dr. Vanessa Anderotti.
The courses offers tools and frameworks to help people in times of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA). The course charges are a sliding fee scale and 50% of the net proceeds from Facing Human Wrongs: Climate Complexity and Relational Accountability support Indigenous-led projects in the Amazon and northeastern Brazil.
Learn more about all our UNITAR-CIFAL certified programs and courses