scholarly journals Sustainable development in higher education

Economica ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Timbaliuc ◽  
◽  
Aliona Gusuvati ◽  

Nowadays, humanity is increasingly focusing on the principles of sustainable development, which are becoming more and more important, and universities are acting as agents to promote these principles in society. Many universities are doing important work regarding environmental issues, but also social and economic issues, thus including the three dimensions of sustainability. This article highlights important concepts related to sustainable development, compares and contrasts the definitions of education for sustainable development versus environmental education. The aim of this study is to examine the need to create a universal tool for assessing sustainability and to incorporate it into the classification system of universities. Finally, it can be said that higher education institutions need to make more strenuous efforts to improve their performance in relation to the variables of environment, infrastructure, transport and education.

Author(s):  
Mônica Marella Corrêa ◽  
Patricia Almeida Ashley

A confusão de interpretações sobre os termos desenvolvimento sustentável (DS), sustentabilidade, educação ambiental (EA) e educação para o desenvolvimento sustentável (EDS) pode resultar em uma divergência entre projetos e propostas. Essa divergência é refletida nas Instituições de Ensino Superior, em currículo, ementas e práticas de ensino. Este trabalho se propõe a trazer discussões sobre: desenvolvimento sustentável e sustentabilidade; desenvolvimento sustentável e governança; e desenvolvimento sustentável e educação; assim como reflexões para o ensino de graduação. Portanto, visa mostrar como o entendimento e ações em concordância os temas discutidos podem funcionar como um fomento para inovações e avanços para o ensino superior. Por exemplo, a sugestão de criação de um modelo de classificação de ementas que possa analisar o tipo de temática ambiental que aquele conteúdo oferece. La confusión de interpretaciones sobre los términos desarrollo sostenible, sostenibilidad, educación ambiental y educación para el desarrollo sostenible puede resultar en una divergencia entre proyectos y propuestas. Esta divergencia se refleja en las Instituciones de Enseñanza Superior, en currículos y prácticas de enseñanza. Este trabajo se propone a traer discusiones sobre: desarrollo sostenible y sostenibilidad; desarrollo sostenible y gobernanza; y el desarrollo sostenible y la educación; así como reflexiones para la enseñanza de graduación. Por lo tanto, pretende mostrar cómo el entendimiento y acciones en concordancia con los temas discutidos pueden funcionar como un fomento para innovaciones y avances para la enseñanza superior. Por ejemplo, la sugerencia de crear un modelo de clasificación de plan de estudios que pueda analizar el tipo de temática ambiental que el contenido ofrece. The misinterpretation of the terms sustainable development (SD), sustainability, environmental education (EE) and education for sustainable development (ESD) can result in a divergence between projects and proposals. This divergence and reflection in Higher Education Institutions, in curriculum, events and teaching practices. This paper proposes to bring discussions about: sustainable development and sustainability; sustainable development and governance; and sustainable development and education; as well as reflections for undergraduate education. Therefore, it aims to show how the understanding and actions, in concordance the themes discussed, can work as a promoter for innovations and advances for higher education. For example, the suggestion to create a menu classification model that can analyze the type of environmental theme that content offers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1249-1267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulkaif Ahmed Saqib ◽  
Qingyu Zhang ◽  
Jin Ou ◽  
Khubaib Ahmad Saqib ◽  
Salman Majeed ◽  
...  

Purpose This study aims to determine the current state of implementation and effectiveness of education for sustainable development (ESD) in Pakistani higher education institutions (HEIs) using students’ and teachers’ perceptions of sustainability. Design/methodology/approach A survey on teachers and students was conducted in public and private universities in Punjab, Pakistan. Data from 1,915 students and 120 teachers were collected through semi-structured questionnaires implemented during face-to-face interviews. Students were asked to rank social, environmental and economic indicators of sustainability consciousness (SC) on a five-point Likert scale. Structural equation model and regression model are used to analyze the data. The perceptions of students and teachers were assessed from their knowledge of sustainability. Findings The occurrence of ESD in Pakistani HEIs is low and teachers have inadequate knowledge of sustainability. The holistic approach to ESD has a more pronounced effect on students’ SC as compared to the pluralistic approach to ESD. Also, there is a correlation between the students’ grades/class and the effectiveness of ESD. There is a need to pay more attention to implement ESD for undergraduate students in Pakistani HEIs. Originality/value The study stands out for using cross-sectional data from public and private universities of Pakistan. Furthermore, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in Pakistan which attempts to investigate the effectiveness of ESD in terms of students’ SC.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Chun Jim Wu ◽  
Ju-Peng Shen

Purpose This study aims to provide a complete understanding of academic research into higher education for sustainable development (HESD). Design/methodology/approach This study utilizes a systematic review of four scientific literature databases to outline topics of research during the UN’s Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD). Findings This study compares research trends and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO’s) strategic perspectives, worldwide topics and the number of studies. The results show that the research trends did not match UNESCO’s perspectives well and that researchers’ focus on popular events led to the variation between the numbers of articles each year. In summary, the findings indicate that most researchers base their topics on environmental issues, and research trends indicate the need for the integration of HESD. Practical implications This study provides a systematic review of higher education for academic research into sustainability, and it has implications for researchers and educators by identifying the gaps between the research conducted and the UN’s policies during the DESD. Originality/value This study attempts to offer an integrated view of HESD and to understand the bias of research trends during the DESD.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-270
Author(s):  
Paul Pace

Since the inception of the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD) (UNCED, 1992, Chapter 36, par.3), higher education institutions (HEIs) have been considered key actors in its promotion. HEIs were expected to achieve this by leading students to contextualise their learning within the realities of their own specialisation, profession and personal life by encouraging them to develop: (a) the notion of global citizenship; (b) a commitment towards environmental stewardship; (c) a reflection about the interaction between issues of social justice, ethics, wellbeing and ecological and economic factors; and (d) a commitment towards actively ensuring sustainable futures (Longhurst, 2014, p.5).


2017 ◽  
pp. 805-827
Author(s):  
Vassilios Makrakis

The UNESCO Chair ICT in Education for Sustainable Development in cooperation with the RCE Crete (Regional Centre of Expertise) on Education for Sustainable Development responding to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD 2005-2014) took the initiative to establish a North-South Network for embedding sustainability in higher education institutions. A Consortium with 12 universities (six from Europe and six from Middle East) led by the UNESCO Chair and the RCE Crete at the University of Crete prepared a proposal submitted to the Tempus- European Commission programme for funding. The RUCAS (Reorient University Curricula to address Sustainability) project, studied in this chapter, has initiated various activities in the partner countries' institutions, which seem to exert significant curricular changes. The changes include the revision of courses, building the appropriate infrastructure, the development of an online community of practice and the RUCAS Toolkit that are being used as drivers for reorienting university curricula to address sustainability. As a result, a growing number of academics in the partner institutions are concerned with the current sustainability crisis and claim for a transformative shift in what they teach and how teaching is practiced.


Author(s):  
Ángeles Longarela-Ares ◽  
Estefanía Mourelle ◽  
Carmen Gago-Cortés

Universities are experiencing a transition to sustainable universities, as addressing environmental concerns has become a cornerstone for the governance of higher education institutions. As responsible for the formation of decision-makers and because of its duty with the society, these institutions must be in line with the current society. This chapter deals with the implementation of sustainable procedures and initiatives in a concrete university: the Universidade da Coruña in Spain. Great efforts have been done regarding raising awareness on environmental issues and the implementation of sustainable procedures, even with limited economic resources. As a result, this university is very well positioned in international rankings and has great potential in the field of sustainable development.


SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401667629 ◽  
Author(s):  
César Tapia-Fonllem ◽  
Blanca Fraijo-Sing ◽  
Víctor Corral-Verdugo ◽  
Anais Ortiz Valdez

The role that higher education plays in the promotion of sustainable development outstands in the declarations on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), besides being a research priority in higher education. However, few studies exist that evaluate sustainable lifestyles among university students. The aim of this study was to analyze the mission and vision, processes and actions undertaken to promote sustainability in higher education institutions, and to compare the pro-sustainability orientation (PSO) reported by 360 students coursing first or last semesters at college. The study was intended to evaluate the influence that four higher education institutions in Sonora, Mexico, have on students’ PSO. Results of the study indicate that a coherent PSO factor emerges from the interrelations among pro-environmental dispositional and behavioral variables reported by students. However, university programs and actions do not produce statistically significant differences between freshmen and senior students. Possible reasons explaining the lack of positive influence of those universities on students’ PSO are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1064-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Miguel Fonseca ◽  
Ana Rita Portela ◽  
Beatriz Duarte ◽  
João Queirós ◽  
Luis Paiva

Abstract Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) addresses sustainable development issues, in the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. The positive role of higher education institutions (HEIs), such as Universities and Polytechnic Institutes, in educating decision makers and leaders, and therefore contributing to progress and the public good, has been widely acknowledged. This investigation aims to map the BSc and MSc courses offered by Portuguese HEIs that address Sustainability (or Social Responsibility, or Ethics) in their curricula with the aim of proving their graduates with the right knowledge and competencies to overcome the Sustainable Development challenges. A systematic review utilizing a structured approach was used to analyze Portuguese HEIs BSc and MSc courses and the content analysis of their curricular units. The conclusions show that Sustainability (or Social Responsibility, or Ethics) is covered in most Social Sciences, Engineering, and Management, BSc and MSc courses, offered by the top 8 Portuguese Higher Education Institutions. However, ESD is fragmented by different approaches, issues, methodologies, and implications, lacking a consistent body of knowledge. Some courses focus more on the Social dimension, while others are more directed to the Environment or the Economic one. Sometimes the chosen approach is more normative (do what is right to do; the ethical way) and in other cases is more instrumental (do what is good for the business; the business case). Social Sciences, Engineering and Science, and Management and Economics are the three top clusters that address Sustainability related syllabus in their curricula, with 49 hours teaching hours in average for the curricular units covering Sustainability (with considerable variation). Universities have more curricular units addressing the topic while Polytechnic Institutes show a higher number of hours per curricular unit and most are of compulsory nature (while in Universities more than 50% of the curricular units are of optional nature). As the collected information was in some cases of generic nature, additional research should be used to confirm and detail these results and evaluate the effectiveness of this education to empower students to act as change agents for Sustainable Development. Benchmarking with other countries (e.g., from the European Union) is also an interesting avenue to pursue this investigation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Shahid Hussain Mughal ◽  
Nasim Qaisrani ◽  
Ghulam Mohuyuddin Solangi ◽  
Sumaira Faiz

Abstract Education is critical agent of transformation in terms of changing life styles, attitude and behavior.  The role of education in pursuit of Sustainable Development is indispensable. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1987) used the term Sustainable Development. According to UN Commission (known as Brundtland Commission) Sustainable Development is “development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generation.” Sustainable Development talks about environmental problems and its solution in a broader perspective. It takes into account social, political, cultural and economic aspects. The United Nations has declared 2005-2014 as the decade for Education for Sustainable Development. Since the 1993 Kyoto Declaration on Sustainable Development, the role of higher education has become vital. The recent trend in the depletion of natural resources, energy, water and food crises, has increased and challenged the role of higher education institutions in Pakistan. The question arises “To what extent our higher education & research institutions are playing their role in order to ameliorate the situation?  The other questions that come to mind are “how higher education institutions can respond to prevailing intricate situation? And what role can these institutions play for promoting education for sustainability? This research study intends to critically examine the role of higher education institutions for the promotion of education for sustainability and to explore the opportunities for the integration of education for sustainability considerations in the existing courses being offered in the universities of Pakistan. This study intends to analyze the National Conservation strategy (NCS) of Pakistan with reference to the promotion of education for sustainability.   Key Words: Education for sustainability, Higher Education, National Conservation Strategy, Integration


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