Prof. Dr. Sevgi Demirel, Director of the Environmental Problems Application and Research Center and Chair of the Sustainable Campus Commission at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, participated in the "Sustainable Development and Environmental Performance" event held within the framework of the "New Approaches to Social Contribution and Regional Cooperation Workshop" on April 1-2, 2026, and made important assessments.

In her presentation, Prof. Dr. Demirel addressed the impacts of the sustainable development concept on higher education institutions, public organizations, local governments, and society, emphasizing that improving environmental performance is not limited solely to environmental protection activities; it requires a holistic approach encompassing education, research, social contribution, and institutional governance processes.

In her presentation, Demirel highlighted the importance of implementing sustainable development goals at the local and regional levels, stating that universities play a significant role in knowledge production, raising awareness, and strengthening cooperation among stakeholders. She also noted that environmental performance indicators are important tools that reveal the progress of institutions on their sustainability journey.

The event addressed current issues such as the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in achieving environmental sustainability, efficient use of resources, combating climate change, waste management, energy efficiency, and sustainable campus practices. Participants exchanged views on best practice examples and collaboration opportunities for improving environmental performance in regional development processes.

The event, which attracted significant interest, concluded by highlighting the importance of societal contribution and regional collaborations in achieving sustainable development goals. Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University continues to contribute to environmental, social, and economic development through its sustainability-focused initiatives.