Sustainability Indicators for Higher Education Institutions: The Case of the Federal University of the Southern Frontier - UFFS

Higher Education Institutions play a key role in fostering sustainable practices. This research adopts a qualitative approach, through a case study, aiming at proposing a system of sustainability indicators adequate to the UFFS needs. Data were collected through bibliographic and documental research, semi-structured interviews and questionnaire application. Members of senior management and public workers in management positions answered the survey. Data were analyzed using the categorization technique and descriptive statistics. The results demonstrated that managers understand sustainability under several dimensions; understand that universities have a formative role and should include these issues in teaching, research and extension practices; indicate the importance of applying the concepts in management practices. It was verified an effort with the emphasis on the environmental pillar; the University develops several sustainable actions, with non-systematized results, and does not carry out an evaluation through indicators. From the data, it was possible to validate a set of 26 sustainability indicators and 158 measures suited to the reality of the institution. This system of sustainability indicators will provide an insight to UFFS about its role in sustainable development in the regions it operates.