A Study on the Cognition and Behaviour of Indonesian Academic Staff Towards the Concept of The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract This study investigates higher education institutions in Indonesia, particularly at technical and vocational schools, regarding the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The investigations include the Implementation of SDGs, the cognition and behaviour of academic staff on SDGs, and the favoured items they selected. The documentary analysis was used to achieve the priority areas of SDGs. Following, the interview analysis was selected to determine the cognition and behaviour of academic staff toward SDGs in their daily lives. In addition, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis was utilized to assess internal and external factors in implementing these SDGs programmes at technical and vocational education institutions. The sample in this study consists of three directors, three heads of departments, and six lecturers. The findings showed that “Good Health and Well-Being,” “No Poverty,” “Life Below Water,” and “Sustainable Cities and Communities” are the most mentioned in their latest annual report. Academic staff in the three institutions are familiar with a general understanding of SDGs. However, each academic staff has individual cognition in explaining priority items. “Quality education” was noted as the most mentioned in the internal analysis by participants, while “partnership for goals” was the most mentioned in the external analysis.