Universidad ORT Uruguay a founding member of the network, along with CLAEH University, the Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU), the University of the Enterprise (UDE), the University of Montevideo (UM), and the Technological University of Uruguay (UTEC).
The signing ceremony took place on Monday, December 1, at UCU Business School in Montevideo, where officials and technical teams from the participating institutions reaffirmed their commitment to working together to promote sustainable practices in university administration, education, and research.
On behalf of Universidad ORT Uruguay, the agreement was signed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Pablo Landoni, who has participated in the meetings since their inception.
Also present at the event was Prof. Edgardo Ortuño, Minister of the Environment, who emphasized that the creation of the UNIS Network “is very good news for the country and for our ministry.”
"A commitment to sustainability and the environment is essential. It is a central issue for Uruguay’s present and future, and universities have a key and decisive role to playin this regard, ”he added.
Institutional Commitment
Representing Universidad ORT Uruguay Inés Tiscornia, M.A., deputy coordinator of Environmental Management, who noted that the university’s integration into UNIS builds on an institutional path that has already been laid out.
The event was also attended by members of the Sustainability Committee at Universidad ORT Uruguay: Dr. Nicolás Gambetta, M.A. Sabrina Bianchi, Dr. Andrea Tejera, and María Fernanda Núñez, B.A.
Tiscornia emphasized that ORT is promoting “a strategy that integrates sustainability into university life, not only in campus management but also in education and research, ”through degree programs, projects, and graduate programs focused on sustainable development and innovation with a social impact.
He noted that this initiative began in 2017 with the launch of ORT Recicla, an environmental awareness, waste reduction, and waste management program that established source separation as a policy for all buildings, featuring designated recycling bins, specific signage, and a collection and recycling system aligned with national standards.
As he explained, the approach is comprehensive: in addition to managing waste, the company works to extend the useful life of IT equipment through donations for refurbishment, reduce paper use through digital processes, improve energy efficiency, and incorporate environmental criteria into its relationships with suppliers.
“The goal is to train professionals who are capable of tackling the environmental challenges of the 21st century and, at the same time, to provide them with an environment where those values are put into practice every day,” said Tiscornia.
Sustainability as an ongoing policy
The recent creation of ORT’s Sustainability Committee established a dedicated governance structure to coordinate efforts across departments, monitor progress, and promote new projects.
With the signing of the founding document of the UNIS Network, Universidad ORT Uruguay this process and, together with the other partner institutions, is committing to continue developing educational and management models aligned with sustainability, the circular economy, and responsible regional development.
The UNIS Network aligns with the commitments Uruguay has made under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Among its objectives is to promote the integration of sustainability across all aspects of teaching, research, administration, and engagement with society. It also aims to facilitate opportunities for exchange and mutual learning among universities.
Learn more about Universidad ORT Uruguay sustainability initiatives