Progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at Universities: UNAN-Managua case

Abstract

The Biotechnology Laboratory through the BIOREM

project “Bioremediation of Contaminated Sites”

linked the university with society throughout the

development of research studies, where the university

provided scientific, analytical and practical knowledge.

The research project was carried out in the mining

area of Santo Domingo y la Libertad, Chontales,

where mining activity has increased and has been

deteriorating the quality of soils and water, added to

this the effect of direct exposure to toxic metals such

as mercury used in the gold extraction process through

gold-mercury amalgamation. Different universitysociety

interaction activities were carried out, such

as meetings with representatives of the mayors of

Santo Domingo and La Libertad, visits to the Rastras

where gold is extracted, Rastras owners and mining

workers on adequate protection during the process

of mercury handling and environmental pollution;

Also, postgraduate and graduate students were

trained through their inclusion in the experimental

processes, generating two (2) theses to opt for the

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at UNAN-MANAGUA and

two (2) theses to qualify for the Engineering degree

in Environmental Quality of the UCA. The universitysociety

link-up in the BIOREM project was successful

since the approach with the artisanal mining was

achieved, as well as the transfer and acquisition of

theoretical and practical knowledge.