Guiding the riptide: strategic planning for graduate program in line with the sustainability

This study aims to propose a strategic planning framework for a graduate program, aligning its actions with sustainability principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The framework was developed using a participatory approach, with the authors serving as faculty members of the Graduate Program in Agribusiness and Development at São Paulo State University, Tupã, Brazil. The methodology followed several stages, starting with the establishment of guidelines, followed by a strategic diagnosis, the definition of strategic objectives, and culminating in the creation of a strategic map collaboratively developed with the program’s permanent faculty members. The application of this framework in the strategic planning process of the PGAD served as a proof of concept, demonstrating the program’s alignment with the SDGs. This study underscores the importance of a multidimensional evaluation of graduate programs, shifting the focus beyond merely research outputs to embrace broader, sustainability-oriented goals.