The Role of Higher Education Institutions Regarding Climate Change: The Case of Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral and its Carbon Footprint in Ecuador

Author(s):  
Nancy P. Criollo ◽  
Angel D. Ramirez ◽  
Daniel A. Salas ◽  
Rafael Andrade

Abstract A case study of a university campus in a tropical area has been analyzed. Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), one of the leading public polytechnic higher education institutions in Ecuador, is located in Guayaquil in the Guayas province. ESPOL has around 12300 students and 1740 faculty members and administrative staff. The climatic conditions are defined as dry tropical forest and have two main seasons, one with rain and high humidity and one that is dry. Average day temperature is 28°C. Air conditioning is required throughout the whole year. The carbon footprint (CF) has been calculated for the university campus as prescribed by the ISO 14064 International Standard for greenhouse gases (GHG) Emission and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and World Resources Institute (WRI). Results indicate that the major contributor to the CF of the ESPOL campus is electricity generation off–campus with 66%. The CF per student is 0.406 tons CO2e which in comparison with information of other higher education institutions (HEIs) campuses is low. This is mostly associated with the CF of the electricity generated in Ecuador which is above 80% renewable. Additionally, a comparison of HEI cases based on their CF has been done. Further mitigation of GHG emissions is possible by energy efficiency measures at the building and transportation level.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 651-657
Author(s):  
Caleb Wright

PurposeA discussion piece of how apprenticeships can be used by HEIs as employers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explores the current apprenticeship landscape; what HEIs are already doing with apprenticeships; the arguments for using apprenticeships in the sector. There is then a case study on how the University of Birmingham uses apprenticeships before a discussion about future directions.FindingsThe paper reports that although there are a range of advantages for using apprenticeships, HEIs could still use apprenticeships more.Originality/valueThis paper uses a range of sources as detailed in the reference.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuryadi Wijiharjono

This title of article is Business Analytics for Higher Education Institutions. By taking a case study at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. Hamka (UHAMKA), this article aims to analyze and provide recommendations for the plan to establish a new academic of undergraduate degree program. Analysis of the institutional and technical environment that affects the legitimacy and sustainability of the university. This study uses the SWOT analysis method in the perspective of Business Analytics, where data availability plays a key role.


2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 413-427
Author(s):  
Erika Setyanti Kusumaputri ◽  
Hanifah Latif Muslimah ◽  
Adib Ahmad ◽  
Mayreyna Nurwardani

In the present era of globalisation, higher-education institutions are required to focus on innovation to deal with the various challenges. Considering what Islamic higher-education institutions in Indonesia, have achieved in recent times, they face an uphill struggle to compete at the global level. This study aimed at identifying and analysing the dynamics of resilience for globalisation in a state Islamic–University in Indonesia. The results of studies on the management of Islamic tertiary institutions, specifically on organizational resilience, are very difficult to find. This study used the qualitative analysis method of a case-study and comprised in-depth interviews with key people concerned with the management of the university, observation, and secondary data namely academic documents, photos, and information from the university’s official website. The findings showed the university’s continuous efforts to improve not only the academic community’s management skills, knowledge, and expertise but also the implementation of international-curriculum standardization and cooperation with overseas universities. These actions cannot be separated from obstacles faced by university from within and without particularly in terms of funding-related policies. The university’s program-based innovations which are yet to be carried out by other Islamic-universities in Indonesia indicate this institution’s initiative to break the obstacles.


2012 ◽  
pp. 182-199
Author(s):  
Henk Huijser ◽  
Michael Sankey

This chapter outlines the potential benefits of incorporating Web 2.0 technologies in a contemporary higher education context, and identifies possible ways of doing this, as well as expected challenges. It uses the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), primarily a distance education provider, as the context for many of its case study examples. In particular, it addresses the important role of the allowances of particular learning management systems (LMSs) in pedagogical applications of Web 2.0 technologies. Overall, this chapter argues that the goals and ideals of Web 2.0/Pedagogy 2.0 can be achieved, or at least stimulated, within an institutional LMS environment, as long as the LMS environment is in alignment with such goals and ideals. It uses the implementation of Moodle at USQ as a case study to reinforce this argument and explore which factors potentially influence a shift in thinking about learning and teaching in a Web 2.0 context.


Author(s):  
Magdalena Platis

In the contemporary context, educational sector faces many challenges which are reflected in specific institutional reactions. Rankings specific to higher education systems are a real phenomenon. Management teams at all levels understand differently the role of being active towards rankings – from a national support and institutional scope, to a lack of interest from both levels. Methodologies of different rankings are also different. In fact, participating in a ranking or another is something to be decided by the university management. The mission of this chapter is to reveal the role of rankings in the contemporary context of resource decreasing. Some answers will improve the decision-making process related to rankings, as well as to other institutional changes adopted in higher education institutions. The existence of rankings cannot be denied. Understanding the role of rankings is one of the most important premises for a correct strategic development of the higher education institutions.


Author(s):  
Magdalena Platis

In the contemporary context, educational sector faces many challenges which are reflected in specific institutional reactions. Rankings specific to higher education systems are a real phenomenon. Management teams at all levels understand differently the role of being active towards rankings – from a national support and institutional scope, to a lack of interest from both levels. Methodologies of different rankings are also different. In fact, participating in a ranking or another is something to be decided by the university management. The mission of this chapter is to reveal the role of rankings in the contemporary context of resource decreasing. Some answers will improve the decision-making process related to rankings, as well as to other institutional changes adopted in higher education institutions. The existence of rankings cannot be denied. Understanding the role of rankings is one of the most important premises for a correct strategic development of the higher education institutions.


Author(s):  
Lisa Grassow ◽  
Clint Le Bruyns

This article focuses on the #FeesMustFall (FMF) movement and the question of a human rights culture. It provides evidence from the specific context of FMF at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, which exposes human rights abuses and violence to the dignity of protesting students. To advance a human rights culture within the higher education sector in the context of FMF, the article highlights the role of theology – ‘indecent theology’ (as espoused by Marcella Althaus-Reid) – in revealing the problem and promise of higher education institutions in the quest for a more liberating and responsible society. It is only through interrogating the narratives that sustain the current university structures – and continue to oppress the poor and the marginalised – that South Africa will be able to begin to construct a society that is respective of the rights of all.


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