Evaluation of University Students' Awareness of Sustainable Development Goals: The Example of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Çaycuma Campus

Sustainability has become a necessity rather than a concept used for many areas such as education, environment, economy, national and international government policies, use of natural resources and energy resources, production and society. Today, a clean environment and resources transferred to future generations are of vital importance for human life. Humans, society and the environment are ecologically interrelated. In order to continue an ecological life, people have to consume renewable materials. Thus, in the process, people have increased their resource use rates and the rate of environmental degradation has also increased. In this context, universities act as knowledge and innovation centers responsible for educating the next generation of sustainability leaders and thinkers while promoting sustainable development practices. Universities have long held an important place in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) because they have been the strengths of national, global and local innovation and social wellbeing. The SDGs were created to mobilize countries around the world to combat inequalities, combat climate change, end all forms of poverty and ensure that no one is left behind. In this article, a survey study targeting Zonguldak Bu lent Ecevit University (BEUN) students was conducted to investigate the knowledge and awareness of students at BEUN Çaycuma campus about SDGs and to reveal how they realize sustainability. It is thought that it would be positive for the university to increase awareness studies on sustainability, implement strategic action plans and include students more in the process.