scholarly journals Mapping Course Sustainability by Embedding the SDGs Inventory into the University Curriculum: A Case Study from National University of Kaohsiung in Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya-Ching Chang ◽  
Hsing-Lung Lien
Keyword(s):  
College Level ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Online Curriculum ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
College Course ◽  
Course Offerings ◽  
National University ◽  
Baseline Status ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The University

A course inventory module, based on the Curriculum Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) published by the Commonwealth Secretariat, has been embedded into the online curriculum system at the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) since 2018. The primary aim of this study is to explore the sustainability status of the course offerings and to understand the interdisciplinary capacity in pursuing the SDGs at NUK. At the university level, a total of 1200–1300 courses (approximately 57% of courses) were reported to be related to SDGs, where the curriculum of NUK mainly emphasized SDGs 3, 4, 8, 9 and 16. However, our study indicates that many SDGs are still not focused in the curriculum of all colleges. Two patterns of the SDGs-related course framework were observed at the college level: One is the college course offerings linked to a wide variety of SDG content; while the second pattern is the college course offerings linked only to specific SDG content, mainly dependent on the subject areas of colleges. Our study suggests that the number of SDGs covered by a course reflects the diversity of the sustainability topics covered in the course. The metric gives an indication of the areas covered and, thus, also points to blind spots (i.e., insufficiencies). Moreover, it can also give an indication of the diversity within colleges, which could suggest future paths for transdisciplinary development. An understanding of the baseline status of sustainability in the university curriculum provides opportunities for universities to plan their strategies for sustainability and prioritize the allocation of resources accordingly.

Implementing the sustainable development goals at University level

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 473-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Albareda-Tiana ◽  
Salvador Vidal-Raméntol ◽  
Mónica Fernández-Morilla
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this case study is to explore the principles and practices of sustainable development (SD) in the university curriculum. Design/methodology/approach To explore the principles linked with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the learning and teaching practices in sustainability at the International University of Catalonia (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, UIC, in Catalan), an empirical study was carried out by using a mixed methodology for data collection. Indicators related to SDGs found in the University curriculum (quantitative analysis) were measured using Excel, combined with in-depth semi-structured interviews to the deans of different faculties (qualitative study), which were analysed using Atlas.ti. Findings Several visions, difficulties and challenges were identified in this mixed-method study around the concept of sustainability, which allowed the authors to describe and portray a specific starting position in relation to the SDGs at the UIC. Research limitations/implications The presence of dimensions linked to the SDGs in the University curriculum were analysed by means of a quantitative study. However, global competences related to education for sustainable development were not studied. Practical implications Special emphasis was given to the challenges and opportunities for training future graduates and the whole University community in SD. Originality/value This paper shows a methodological exploration of the principles related to the SDGs and the learning and teaching practices in sustainability in higher education.

Project-Oriented Learning as an Optimal Methodology for the Incorporation of the SDGs in University Teaching: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Miñán-Espigares ◽  
Claudia-Amanda Juárez-Romero
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Situated Learning ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Teaching Innovation ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The University ◽  
Quality Learning

The use of active methodologies in the university is a priority to achieve higher quality learning. One of these methodologies with the greatest potential for training in competencies is Project-Oriented Learning (PLA), using it in an innovative way. Associating the use of this methodology with the objectives of sustainable development, which have become even more important since the Pandemic by COVID-19, can be a good idea to achieve a more sustained and situated learning. The aim of this study is to find out to what extent research on teaching innovation with Project-Oriented Learning is associated with the Sustainable Development Goals. A systematic review was carried out as indicated by PRISMA through the following databases: WOS and Scopus. WOS found 15 articles on AoP and 6 on Project-Oriented Learning and sustainability. In Scopus 2 were found in 2019. The main results show that in the University, especially in the branches of engineering, AoP is widely used, however, it is rarely related to SDGs. Among the conclusions, we highlight the need for research on project-oriented learning and sustainable development goals.

scholarly journals Volunteering to Help People with Disabilities and Less Mobile People in Transport Higher Education Institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 246-258
Author(s):  
N. V. Gruver ◽  
O. M. Zemlina ◽  
R. K. Nazarova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Disabled Persons ◽  
Value Orientations ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The University ◽  
Transport Complex ◽  
The Impact

The objective of the study was to examine the impact of organisation of volunteer movement on solving of the University tasks and on motivation of the students, particularly considering the sustainable development goals.The attention has been focused on the analysis of the mechanism and methods of implementing the capacity of volunteer movement, from the point of view of possibilities of forming socially significant qualities and value orientations in students that correspond to the needs of society and development of the transport complex, as week as the skills of legal culture and behaviour of future transport employees. A conclusion is drawn about the need to use the opportunities of volunteering as a means of self-development of the student’s personality.The study was particularly dedicated to examining the experience of the Resource Training and Methodological Centre for Training Disabled Persons and Persons with Disabilities created and operating in Russian University of Transport, main directions of increasing the efficiency of activities to create necessary conditions for accessibility of higher education for persons with disabilities in transport universities.Social survey allowed to reveal and assess the correlation of motivation and interest of participants in volunteer movement in training on the programs offered at Russian University of Transport and in participating in volunteering since most important incentives spread among the students comprise desire to help people to feel needed, as well as the desire to master new skills and acquire competences.

scholarly journals University collaboration for co-designing sustainable urban areas

2021 ◽  
Vol 301 ◽  
pp. 03002
Author(s):  
Peter Čajka ◽  
Veronica Grebennikova ◽  
Hoang Manh Trung Vu ◽  
Van Tran Ngo
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Our article tackles the timely and important issue of the university collaboration aimed at shaping up the sustainable urban areas and contributing to their development through the teaching and research. Universities provided qualified labour force, yield novel research solutions and act as hubs for entrepreneurial activity in urban areas. In this article, we show that even though most of the universities are concentrated in large urban centres and capital regions, many of them are located in small rural areas and have a profound effect on them. We also demonstrate the impact of universities on the sustainable development which is done through the sustainable education as well as the R&D approaches. These effects are very relevant for the co-designing of sustainable rural areas that can follow the principles of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the green policies imposed by the majority of the local and central governments around the world.

scholarly journals The concept of sustainable development as the foundation for changing education in the North

2021 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 00048
Author(s):  
Vasiliy Savvinov
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Northern Territories ◽  
The University

The article reveals the experience of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Russian universities based on the case study of North-Eastern Federal University (NEFU). The article presents a comparative analysis of strategic programs to manage the development of universities in the North of Russia and the northern countries of Europe and America in the context of global changes and growing uncertainty of the environment. It shows NEFU’s groundwork for the implementation of the sustainable development model of the northern territories and justifies the key principles and the directions of change in the academic and innovative activities of the university related to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

scholarly journals Engaging in the internationalization of education and SDGs: Case study on the global hub of UNAI on sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 307 ◽  
pp. 06001
Author(s):  
Rafis Abazov
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
National University ◽  
Internationalization Of Education ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

The education sector has been identified as one of the key players in globalization processes and implementation of the UN Agenda 2030. The role of education, including higher education, involves not only raising awareness among young people and educators about the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and global environmental changes, but also in mobilizing them for partnerships towards fulfilment of these goals (as defined in SDG-17) and dealing with the challenges of globalization. The purpose of this article is to analyze the engagement of HEIs in internationalization of education, realization of the UN Agenda 2030 and supporting the implementation of SDGs, using as an example the work of the UNAI at the university level. First, the article provides a short literature review on empirical and theoretical aspects of the internationalization of HEIs, looking at how international institutions impact internationalization, organizational culture and the formulation of educational process and international cooperation activities at HEIs. Second, it analyzes organizational tools for internationalization by looking at the international experience and activities of university networks such as UNAI and the impact of those networks on the internationalization of universities. Third, it presents a case study of the work of an international university network, using the example of UNAI Hub at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and discusses how the UNAI programs have impacted the perception of internationalization and organizational culture at the university.

scholarly journals Signs of the United Nations SDGs in University Curriculum: The Case of the University of Iceland

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 8958
Author(s):  
Auður Pálsdóttir ◽  
Lára Jóhannsdóttir
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Health ◽  
School Of Education ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
Zero Hunger ◽  
The University

Sustainability is a pressing topic in all universities. Institutions are determining what the implications of such a development are, e.g., on how courses that students are provided with should develop, what to change, what to add, and how these changes could be brought about. The purpose of this research was to provide an overview of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the curriculum of five schools at the University of Iceland and an overview of individual SDGs for the university, to identify the main challenges and opportunities for improvement. Data collection included analysis of every single university’s course description and learning outcomes using a curriculum analysis key designed for the SDGs. Results indicated strong signs of SDG 4 (quality education) at the School of Education and the School of Social Sciences and SDG 3 (good health and well-being) at the School of Health Sciences. For the university, the results revealed a very limited emphasis on four SDGs, i.e., SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), and SDG 13 (climate actions). The results can serve as a benchmark for other universities, e.g., for comparison of results and their situation when creating policy and practices that include implementing the SDGs. Additionally, they can be used for comparison within the University of Iceland as a whole or within each school to monitor change.

scholarly journals The decision-making process towards implementing energy efficiency in a university-built park in southern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 265-279
Author(s):  
Marcos Antonio Leite Frandoloso ◽  
Eduardo Grala da Cunha ◽  
Albert Cuchí i Burgos
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Education For Sustainability ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The University

Sustainability has been increasingly incorporated as an essential life perspective into educational institutions as well as local communities. Universities play an important role into the society by debating theoretical contributions and implementing concrete actions. The present research was developed to evaluate a university’s energy efficiency by using the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain as a reference for University of Passo Fundo, Brazil. The reference values and index ratings obtained for energy performance, in the Universities’ building stock, were evaluated based on positive and negative features. The study identifies and assesses the evolution of incident factors towards energy consumption and its impacts on the hidropower generation, the main energy resource in Brazilian. Hence, the university can promote a reflection about its practices to develop feasible tools that contribute to sustainable measures. As a result, guidelines and strategies were proposed, not only on targeted evaluated buildings but also on the entire building stock. The research indicates the importance to follow well-defined guidelines in the decision-making process by institutions of higher education, in order to consider integrated sustainable practices. The methodology and findings contribute to improve and promote Education for Sustainability, which should encourage other similar universities to put sustainable projects into practice and encourage the whole society to face the inevitable change of paradigms for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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