Putting sustainability research into practice on the university campus

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-75
Author(s):  
Maarten B. Eppinga ◽  
Jenny Lozano-Cosme ◽  
Tobia de Scisciolo ◽  
Patrick Arens ◽  
Maria J. Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Small Island ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The University

Purpose Despite increasing efforts to incorporate sustainability in curricula and practices of institutions of higher education, effective implementation remains challenging. The purpose of this study is to present an approach to incorporate sustainability into a practice-oriented research skills course, which was implemented at a small island state university in the Caribbean. Design/methodology/approach First-year university students followed a four-week course module, starting with the introduction of the sustainable development goals, and culminating in a symposium in which the students present the findings of their research projects to the campus community. Pre-course module and post-course module surveys measured the students’ knowledge and perceptions regarding sustainability. These survey results were also compared with the result of a similar survey held for the university’s employees. Findings The survey results suggested that following the course module increased students’ knowledge about sustainable development, as well as their support for the university campus and its community putting more emphasis on teaching, practicing and encouraging sustainability. Interestingly, university employees scored significantly higher on the latter component than students, suggesting that in this case a lack of interest of the staff is not a barrier toward a sustainable campus. Originality/value The presented course module offers a novel and low-cost approach to introducing sustainability into a broad range of academic curricula, specifically tailored to the needs of institutes of higher education in small island states. The survey results suggest that this type of education may not only ensure reaching academic goals but also increase students’ interest in sustainable development within their local environment.

scholarly journals Reflections on the learning objectives for sustainable development in the higher education curricula – three cases from the University of Belgrade

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Violeta Orlovic Lovren ◽  
Marija Maruna ◽  
Svetlana Stanarevic
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Learning Objectives ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Linking Theory And Practice ◽  
The University

Purpose This purpose of this study is to explore the integration of the sustainable development concept and goals into the curriculum of higher education studies using the example of three faculties of the University of Belgrade. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative content analysis has been applied on two levels: the evaluation of the sustainability of courses starting from the criteria defined using the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (ASHE, 2017), and the analysis of the outcomes defined in the curricula of subjects within the three faculties using the UNESCO learning objectives related to selected sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a criteria. Findings While the largest number of courses were analyzed from the Faculty of Architecture, the highest proportion of sustainability courses was found in the Faculty of Security Studies. Both study areas reflect a stronger interdisciplinary orientation, although it should be strengthened in the case of the Andragogy study program. Based on the experience of the Faculty of Architecture, the courses implemented by linking theory and practice may significantly contribute to achieving the LOs and to implementing the education for sustainable development. At the University of Belgrade, strategic documents are missing that would encourage and oblige the faculties to apply the concept of sustainability. Originality/value This is the first study to apply this type of curricula analysis at the University of Belgrade. It is performed by teachers from the university, coming from different disciplinary fields but oriented towards an interdisciplinary perspective. Although performed in three specific study areas within a single university, the identified gaps and trends may be useful for planning interventions toward accelerating the implementation of SDGs in the higher education curricula.

scholarly journals Sustainability 2030: a policy perspective from the University Vocational Awards Council

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy Samantha Crawford-Lee ◽  
Tony Wall
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Policy Perspective ◽  
Balanced Approach ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

Purpose The policy and practice sphere of higher education, skills and work-based learning has become increasingly problematic in the last few years, and the extent to which sustainability and sustainable development are embedded in policy and practice spaces is a cause for concern. The purpose of this paper is to posit a policy perspective from the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC), the national representative organisation for universities committed to the vocational agenda and an independent voice in the sphere of higher education, skills and work-based learning. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a reflective policy and practice piece which draws on the latest policy moves by the UK Government and associated organisations and engages the latest literature to examine the issues in policy and practice that need to be tackled. Findings This paper argues for a greater integration of sustainable development into higher education, skills and work-based learning policy and practice, and specifically in relation to creating inclusive workplaces, promoting social mobility, a balanced approach to productivity, health and well-being and embedding educational approaches and methods which promote inequality in workplaces. Practical implications This paper is a call to all stakeholders to raise the game of sustainability and sustainable development in the policy and practice sphere of higher education, skills and work-based learning. Originality/value The paper is the only UK policy perspective explicitly dedicated to sustainability and sustainable development in the context of the sphere of higher education, skills and work-based learning. Although it is focused on UK policy context, it will be of interest to international readers wishing to learn about UK developments and the sustainable development challenges in relation to its apprenticeship, technical and vocational education system.

Smart practices in HEIs and the contribution to the SDGs: implementation in Brazilian university

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liane Dalla Gasperina ◽  
Janaina Mazutti ◽  
Luciana Londero Brandli ◽  
Roberto dos Santos Rabello
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Waste Reduction ◽  
Infrastructure Management ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainability Research ◽  
Development Goals

Purpose Smart campuses can be seen as the future of higher education efforts, especially for their contributions to sustainability and to encourage innovation. This paper aims to present the benefits of smart practices in a Higher Education Institutions and highlights its connections to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach The methodology is divided into three steps: first, an international search and assessment of smart practices at universities; second, the identification of smart practices in a university campus in southern Brazil; and third, the presentation of the benefits of smart practices and their relationship with the SDGs. Findings The results showed that globally, the area most covered by smart practices in universities is the environment and, specifically, focused on waste reduction. in the context of this case study, the benefits of implementing smart practices mainly reach SDGs 4 and SDG 9, especially due to aspects of teaching technologies for the new classroom models and the optimization of campus infrastructure management. Practical implications The study encourages other universities to implement smart practices in their campuses, to becoming smart campuses while they also collaborate in achieving the SDGs while raising the discussion on the importance of committed actions taken on a university campus with the UN SDGs, to leverage synergies on campus operations at universities. Originality/value This paper presents a set of smart practices that universities are applying both globally and locally (in southern Brazil). In addition, it contributes to sustainability research by showing how smart practices have the potential to promote SDGs in universities, especially through campus operations.

scholarly journals University 4.0 within the context of the sustainable development of higher education

2021 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 04002
Author(s):  
Larisa Gorina ◽  
Ekaterina Polyakova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Higher Education Research ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Technology Industry ◽  
The University ◽  
Support Research

The process of development of universities from the places where medieval elites met to conduct alliances and partnerships to the modern biotechnological and digital institutions of higher education, research and business took several centuries and went through four main stages. This paper describes the role and the place of the University 4.0 within the context of the sustainable development of higher education in the 21st century. We show that University 4.0 is designed to promote the technology industry through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce development, as well as entrepreneurship. In keeping with the cooperative nature efforts directed and driven by the policy-makers and relevant stakeholders need to be dedicated to promoting modern universities as hub for the development of intelligent, connected technologies and services that would lead to the sustainable development of higher education that would reflect the challenges of our time.

Characterization of solid wastes as a tool to implement waste management strategies in a university campus

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Nolasco ◽  
Pedro Henrique Vieira Duraes ◽  
Júlia Pereira Gonçalves ◽  
Maria Cristina de Oliveira ◽  
Lucijane Monteiro de Abreu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Measures ◽  
The University

Purpose Universities are an example of institutions that aggregate people around work/study who consume water, energy and produce waste daily in their activities, generating an impact on the environment. The purpose of this study is to determine the quantity, composition and recycling potential of waste generated at the Faculdade UnB Planaltina (FUP) campus, of the University of Brasilia in the Federal District, Brazil, to develop a waste management strategy compatible with national legislation and sustainable global practices. Design/methodology/approach This study was based on conducting on-site visits to identify the sources of generation, hazardousness, management and gravimetric characteristics of residual waste from 2015 to 2016. In 2016, a selective collection was implemented on the FUP campus, and since then, actions to raise awareness for the selective disposal and monitoring of waste were conducted with the academic community. Findings The results showed that the campus generates 148 kg of waste/day, whereas the per capita generation is 92 g/day. The production of hazardous waste is related to campus laboratories which manage it under a specific program. The campus restaurant is the place that generates the most waste, of which organic waste is the most representative. When categorizing the waste generated on campus, the authors found that the majority are recyclables at 67% of the total. This category includes material composed of cardboard, paper and plastic, all able to be recycled in the Federal District. Practical implications The recyclable waste generated at the FUP campus is being diverted from the city’s landfill because they are donated to a recycling cooperative. These actions promote income generation, social inclusion of waste pickers and a circular economy, all in compliance with the National Solid Waste Policy. As a result, the FUP campus is more in line with Brazilian legislation and the global context of adopting sustainable waste management amongst higher education institutions. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on sustainability in higher education by reporting the process of implementation of a waste management strategy in a university campus. Further, it presents tools and methods that can be used to achieve sustainability in waste management. The study also identifies that the crucial factor for the success of such actions is the mobilization and participation of the academic community in the process. It does so by presenting findings demonstrating how the University of Brasilia has been concerned with adopting pro-environmental measures for sustainable development.

scholarly journals The Future We Want: A Learning Experience to Promote SDGs in Higher Education from the United Nations and University of Valencia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8550
Author(s):  
Victoria Vázquez-Verdera ◽  
Juan Domingo ◽  
Esther Dura ◽  
Daniel Gabaldón-Estevan ◽  
Ernesto López-Baeza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Geospatial Information ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The Future ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
The University

This article shares the strategy for mainstreaming the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the University of Valencia (UV), which, although limited in its scale, may compel other Higher Education Institutions to think in technological and social progress aligned with the 2030 Agenda. It explicates a process driven by the UV, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), and in collaboration with the Service for Geospatial, Information, and Telecommunications Technologies from the UN Support Base in Valencia (Spain) to prepare the online event: “The United Nations We Want”. It was the culmination of a collaborative project between students and faculties from different scientific, technological, social, legal, humanistic, and health disciplines that structure the University of Valencia. The intention was that new generations experience the role they can have to shape the future we want, while the university community as a whole can become part of transformative institutional change that draws on both top-down and bottom-up strategies in pursuit of Education for Sustainable Development.

scholarly journals Autonomy of universities in Kazakhstan and academic freedom: Implementation problems and ways of development

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
D.N. Nurmanbetov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Strategic Management ◽  
Academic Freedom ◽  
Important Condition ◽  
University System ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Implementation Problems ◽  
The University ◽  
Education Field

The article studies the implementation problems and ways of developing the autonomy of universities and academic freedom, which is considered as the most important condition for the sustainable development of the university system and a factor in increasing its competitiveness in Kazakhstan. As a result of the review of scientific works are revealed in the higher education field and an autonomy processes analysis of academic freedom of Kazakhstani universities a number of implementation problems and limitations. In conclusion of the article defines the ways of developing the autonomy and academic freedom of Kazakhstani universities. The necessity of changing the existing approaches to the strategic management of higher education is emphasized in order to achieve real autonomy and academic freedom by universities.

Higher education in Japan: internationalization, the Sustainable Development Goals and survivability

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachi Edwards ◽  
Akemi Ashida
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Higher Education Internationalization

PurposeThis paper reviews the national and institutional internationalization activities in Japan's higher education sector and considers the extent to which these efforts have attempted to incorporate and/or contribute to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper was developed based on a review of available demographic data on internationalization in Japan (in both English and Japanese), a survey of recent scholarly literature on this topic and conversations with numerous faculty and staff members working on internationalization issues in a wide range of higher education institutions throughout the country.FindingsThere are substantial internationalization efforts being made at both national and institutional levels, yet scholars and practitioners of higher education question the extent to which genuine internationalization is occurring. Moreover, the metrics used to track internationalization are somewhat limited and the available data, in many cases, can be complicated to interpret. A bit of tension also exists in Japanese universities between those who support the movement to internationalize and those who see it as a passing fad, an intrusion on their academic freedom and/or as a guise for Westernization – a tension that some cite, along with language barriers and system misalignment, as a challenge to internationalization.Originality/valueNumerous scholars discuss the internationalization of higher education in Japan. The originality of this paper is in the comparison of Japan's higher education internationalization efforts to the movement to achieve the SDGs – both in Japan and as a global effort.

Universities as the engine of transformational sustainability toward delivering the sustainable development goals

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 1343-1357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Maria Purcell ◽  
Heather Henriksen ◽  
John D. Spengler
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Living Lab ◽  
Development Goals

Purpose Universities can do more to deliver against the sustainable development goals (SDGs), working with faculty, staff and students, as well as their wider stakeholder community and alumni body. They play a critical role in helping shape new ways for the world, educating global citizens and delivering knowledge and innovation into society. Universities can be engines of societal transformation. Using a multiple case study approach, this study aims to explore different ways of strategizing sustainability toward delivering the SDGs are explored in a university setting with an example from the UK, Bulgaria (Europe) and USA. Design/methodology/approach The first case is a public UK university that adopted enterprise and sustainability as its academic mission to secure differentiation in a disrupted and increasingly marketized global higher education sector; this became a source of inspiration for change in regional businesses and the local community. The second case is a business sector-led sustainability-driven transformation working with a private university in Bulgaria to catalyze economic regeneration and social innovation. Finally, a case from the office for sustainability in a major US research university is given to show how its engagement program connected faculty and students in sustainability projects within the institution and with external partners. Findings Each case is in effect a “living lab,” positioning sustainability as an intentional and aspirational strategy with sustainable development and the SDG framework a means to that end. Leadership at all levels, and by students, was key to success in acting with a shared purpose. Partnerships within and with universities can help accelerate delivery of the SDGs, enabling higher education to make a fuller contribution to sustaining the economic, environmental, cultural and intellectual well-being of our global communities. Originality/value The role of universities as the engine of transformational sustainability toward delivering the SDGs has been explored by way of three case studies that highlight different means toward that end. The collegiate nature of the higher education sector, with its shared governance models and different constituencies and performance drivers, means that sustainability at a strategic level must be led with leaders at all levels acting with purpose. The “living lab” model can become a part of transformative institutional change that draws on both top-down and bottom-up strategies in pursuit of sustainable development.

scholarly journals Are the sustainable development goals being implemented in the Portuguese higher education formative offer?

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Marta Aleixo ◽  
Ulisses M. Azeiteiro ◽  
Susana Leal
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Public Higher Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Master's Degrees ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Portuguese Higher Education

Purpose The study aims to examine the vertical integration of the sustainable development goals (SGDs) in Portuguese public higher education institutions, namely, at the level of undergraduate and master’s degrees, and the extent to which Portuguese higher education institutions (HEI) are preparing for the United Nations’ call to promote SDGs. Design/methodology/approach A content analysis of the designations and objectives of the 2,556 undergraduate and master’s degrees (in 33 Portuguese public higher education institutions) was done to determine whether they promote at least one SDG. Findings The results show that 198 courses directly address at least one SDG; on average, each higher education institution (HEI) has six courses that explicitly address at least one SDG; universities have more courses in SDG areas than in polytechnics; more master’s degrees embrace SDGs than undergraduate degrees; and most of the courses addressing SDGs are from the social sciences and humanities areas and from natural and environmental sciences. Originality/value This paper serves to raise the awareness of Portuguese HEIs of their role and responsibility in furthering SGDs.

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