scholarly journals Sustainability literacy in the Romanian Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 268-284
Author(s):  
Elena-Maria Prada ◽  
Simona-Andreea Apostu ◽  
Emilia Gogu
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Sustainability Literacy ◽  
The University

Abstract Sustainable university refers to the active involvement of higher education institutions in elaborating policies to protect the natural environment. The sustainable university is the one that, besides the governmental involvement, contributes to the safety of the environment by adapting the curriculum to the ecological needs and through the progress of the scientific knowledge, as a result of the didactic and research activities. As a vector of society’s development, the primary role of the university consists of educating future decision-makers. From the point of view of sustainable education, the concept of sustainable literacy has been shaped. Sustainable literacy involves educating future generations for sustainable development, considering the social, environmental, and cultural aspects specific to each country. In our opinion, “Sustainability literacy” in the academic environment is the formation and transmission of knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that will allow students/graduates to engage deeply in building a sustainable future and improve their decision-making towards sustainability. The purpose of this research paper is to identify the context of ensuring and promoting sustainability in Romanian tertiary education. For this purpose, data obtained from the Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education were used regarding the number of students (as an element of the university demand) who follow a study program related to sustainable development, as well as data on the number of study programs in sustainability (as an element of the university offer). The results show that the number of students decreases, mainly due to demographic reasons, and the low graduation rates following the baccalaureate examination. Nevertheless, the number of programs in the sphere of sustainable development was higher in 2018 than the previous year. This fact demonstrates the importance given and the serious concerns regarding sustainability literacy in Romanian universities.

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 The role of the university in achieving SDGs 4 and 7: a Ukrainian case

2021 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 04006
Author(s):  
Artem Artyukhov ◽  
Iurii Volk ◽  
Tetyana Vasylieva ◽  
Serhiy Lyeonov
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Combined Model ◽  
Technological Level ◽  
The Government ◽  
The University

This article deals with the development of the university activities model to ensure the quality of education and technology transfer (SDG 4) and to create a successful background in achieving SDG 7. We conduct an analysis of the literature on the achievement of SDGs through governmental instruments of influence, as well as the creation of effective university model ensuring the education quality and technology transfer. In addition, we demonstrate the role of the government in financing higher education in Ukraine. We also present the evaluation of the popularity of educational programs related to energy efficiency and a “clean” environment in Ukrainian universities after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The indicators of the use of various energy types by Ukraine are assessed, and a comparative analysis of these indicators with the data for EU-28 is performed. Based on the data presented, conclusions are drawn about the need to improve the quality of university training and to activate the university technology transfer. Successful practical approaches that can be of use for different higher education institutions are outlined. A combined model of quality assurance and technology transfer at the university is presented. An algorithm for testing the model and assessing the technological level of readiness for implementation is developed. The presented chain “combined model – model testing algorithm – determination of the technological level of readiness” is also assessed from the point of view of socio-economic impact on the main stakeholders. The use of the combined model lays background for the university’s own sustainable development as a tool for achieving SDGs.

scholarly journals Spirals of Sustainable Academic Motivation, Creativity, and Trust of Higher Education Staff

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7057
Author(s):  
Martina Blašková ◽  
Dominika Tumová ◽  
Rudolf Blaško ◽  
Justyna Majchrzak-Lepczyk
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Motivation ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Scientific Management ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Future Improvement ◽  
The University

Sustainability has to penetrate more and more into higher education. It should not focus only on traditional elements. It should also enter new, but for future improvement, extremely important areas. Based on this premise, creativity and motivation, when additionally interconnected and supported by trust that is provided and achieved, decide on the progress and sustainability of universities. This connection is gaining importance especially from the point of view of building solid foundations and mechanisms that functionally preserve the potential effects of these elements in the future. For this reason and following the nature, importance, and content of sustainable academic motivation (SAM), the paper introduces two new concepts: sustainable academic creativity (SAC) and sustainable academic trust (SAT). For further original contributions, the paper hypothesizes the existence of mutual—spiral—relations of sustainable academic motivation (SAM), sustainable academic creativity (SAC), and sustainable academic trust (SAT). The empirical section tests the validity of this claim in the universities of two countries: the Slovak Republic and Poland. A survey performed on a sample of n=181 pedagogical, scientific, management, and administrative staff in higher education confirms the existence of these spirals. The results indicate the spiral effect of motivation when connected with creativity and trust and show that it is accented by the crucial principles of sustainability (responsibility, novelty, usefulness, progress, etc.). Therefore, the paper’s conclusion contains the explanations for the potential occurrence of three types of sustainably mutual systems and complexes. These are: (a) individual sustainable systems of SAM, SAC, and SAT; (b) group/sectional sustainable systems of SAM, SAC, and SAT; and (c) the global sustainable complex of SAM, SAC, and SAT in the university.

scholarly journals Increasing University Competitiveness through Assessment of Green Content in Curriculum and Eco-Labeling in Higher Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 712
Author(s):  
Andrea Okanović ◽  
Jelena Ješić ◽  
Vladimir Đaković ◽  
Simonida Vukadinović ◽  
Andrea Andrejević Panić
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Green Jobs ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The World ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Novi Sad ◽  
The University

Growing environmental problems and increasing requirements of green jobs force universities around the world not only to transform their curricula but also to enrich existing ones with contents related to the promotion of sustainable development. This paper aims to show the importance of measuring and monitoring the share of green contents in all university activities, as only in that way it is possible to monitor trends and give realistic assessments of their effect and importance. The paper presents a comparative analysis of different types of methodologies for assessing sustainable activities at universities as well as research conducted at the University of Novi Sad in Serbia and its comparison with the University of Gothenburg (Sweden). This research aims to point out the importance of increasing competitiveness in higher education through assessment of green content in a curriculum and its promotion. In this way, through eco-labeling methodology, it would be easier to identify those contents that, in a certain share, contribute to the promotion of sustainable development. Furthermore, this methodology can easily be extended across the country and the region, which would bring positive effects to all stakeholders in higher education.

scholarly journals A Holistic Approach to Integrate and Evaluate Sustainable Development in Higher Education. The Case Study of the University of the Basque Country

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 392
Author(s):  
Estibaliz Sáez de Cámara ◽  
Idoia Fernández ◽  
Nekane Castillo-Eguskitza
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
The University

Since the United Nations (UN) approved the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development in 2015, higher education institutions have increasingly demonstrated their commitment by supporting several initiatives. Although a great deal of progress has been made, there is still a lack of integrative approaches to truly implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in higher education. This paper presents a practical case that illustrates how to design and articulate SDGs within an institutional setting adopting a holistic approach: EHUagenda 2030 plan of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). It is based on empirical inquiry into global and holistic sustainable transformation and a real experience to move towards a verifiable and pragmatic contribution to sustainability. This plan describes the contribution to 12 of the 17 SDGs, along with three sectorial plans (Equality Campus, Inclusion Campus and Planet Campus), as well as the refocus of the UPV/EHU’s Educational Model and the panel of sustainable development indicators, which addresses the technical aspects of monitoring the SDGs. The methodology (mapping; mainstreaming; diagnosis and definition and, finally, estimation) is systematic and replicable in other universities yet to embark upon this integration. This case study makes a contribution towards the understanding of the complexity of the changes in Higher Education and the ways to approach it.

scholarly journals Team Learning as a Model for Facilitating Entrepreneurial Competences in Higher Education: The Case of Proakatemia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7373
Author(s):  
Timo Nevalainen ◽  
Jaana Seikkula-Leino ◽  
Maria Salomaa
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Team Learning ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Business Skills ◽  
Business Plans ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Entrepreneurial Competencies ◽  
The University ◽  
Quantitative Case Study

In the past decades, there has been a growing interest in entrepreneurship education, and many higher education institutions have developed specific programs and courses to support entrepreneurial competencies. However, there have been significant changes in how universities train competences related to business skills and entrepreneurship in practice. Whereas entrepreneurship courses used to focus on the different forms of businesses and drafting business plans, the overall perception of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial competences has shifted this toward a more holistic educational approach to develop students’ entrepreneurial competencies. In this comparative quantitative case study, we investigate the university students’ perception of the development of their entrepreneurial competencies in the case of Proakatemia (Tampere University of Applied Sciences). The aim was to examine how the entrepreneurial competencies are reflected and strengthened in their thinking and everyday functions through the concept of team learning. The survey involved, altogether, 64 students, of which 21 studied in Proakatemia. The results of this study indicate that the team learning concept of Proakatemia facilitates learning entrepreneurial competencies. Therefore, these results provide insights for universities aiming to develop their curricula, programs and pedagogy, thus promoting sustainable societal development. However, we recommend further studies, e.g., from a qualitative point of view, to assess the effective of the concept in other learning environments.

Integration of Science and Education in Universities of the Regions: Multichannel Funding and Different Organization Models

2021 ◽  
pp. 53-92
Author(s):  
Galina A. Untura ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Regional Innovation ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Scientific Organizations ◽  
Flagship Universities ◽  
Science And Education ◽  
The University

Integration of science, higher education, innovative entrepreneurship contributes to the solution of topical problems caused by global challenges. The article shows that universities integrate scientific, educational, innovative activities both within their structural units and in cooperation with other participants in regional innovative systems. The aim is to identify the trends in multichannel funding of universities in the regions, which creates the conditions for the integration of educational and research activities, and summarize the experience of universities that have created strategic academic units (SAUs) as one of the forms of integrating science and higher education. Based on the statistical analysis of financial receipts to universities from various sources in 2015 and 2019 (form VPO_2), the trends and structure of the funding distribution by type of educational and research activities in the regions of the Russian Federation were compared. It has been revealed that educational activities dominate in universities, accounting for about 70% of all income, and research activities 12–13%. Regional cases of the universities (ITMO, NNU, TSU, NSU, SFU) were analyzed. They integrated science and education in the form of SAUs. The cases were prepared on the basis of a content analysis of roadmaps for the period 2016–2020, interviews, and other open information. The analysis has showed that the organizational model of each SAU is created on the basis of the uniqueness and competitiveness of the university’s scientific and educational specialization by mechanisms that ensure the integration of the educational process and research activities through the involvement of students, graduate students in research and innovative projects. It is concluded that the flexibility and versatility of training programs and research at the university in the SAU format is formed in cooperation with many participants in regional innovation systems, which leads to the demand for its services by enterprises in the regions of the European part of the country and Siberia. The synergy of educational, research and innovation activities is achieved within the framework of both one university and through its network interaction with other Russian and international universities, scientific organizations, and enterprises. The experience of creating SAUs can be used by regional administrations, corporations in the development of world-class scientific and educational centers within the framework of the Science national project and national research and flagship universities of the strategic academic leadership program.

The Role of Financing Higher Education in Nigerian Universities in Achieving Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-578
Author(s):  
Samir Mohamad Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Private University ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Community Initiatives ◽  
Higher Education Financing ◽  
The University ◽  
Financing Higher Education ◽  
The Impact

The current study aims to identify the role of financing higher education in Nigerian universities in the state of Kano and its impact on sustainable development. The study problem lies in the low funding of higher education in Nigerian universities, which will negatively affect the sustainability of higher education and sustainable development. The importance of the study is highlighted by highlighting the importance of financing higher education in Nigerian universities and the sources of obtaining this funding as one of the most important factors through which students can complete their studies. The study followed the qualitative approach with the aim of obtaining more accurate information about traditional higher education financing sources and its impact on the sustainability of education and achieving sustainable development. The study population reached the number of three Nigerian universities, which are a governmental, federal and private university, to learn about the impact of financing higher education in Nigerian universities on sustainable development. The sample of the study was about three out of five of those responsible for financing higher education in Nigerian universities. Also, the study followed unstructured or open interviews in order to obtain more information about financing higher education and whether or not it is suitable for the idea of a monetary endowment. The results of the study showed that the sources of financing for higher education in traditional Nigerian universities are varied, including what can be obtained through the endowment and donations fund that can be made through community initiatives, and the results of the study also indicated that the idea of a monetary endowment faces great challenges in its application, so the idea is subject to acceptance and rejection. According to the nature of the university and the nature of the subjects taught. The study recommended the necessity of expanding the study of the impact of financing higher education in Nigerian universities by expanding the scope of study to include all Nigerian states.

scholarly journals The necessary requirements needed for employing e. learning in the (teaching staff) in the faculty member of education, from the point of view of the teaching staff in sudan university

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hatem Abdel Maged El-Sadek , Rehab Bashir Hassan Al-Awad
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Faculty Member ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
Educational Design ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The University ◽  
Descriptive Method

The study aimed to identify the necessary requirements needed for employing e. learning in the (teaching staff) in the faculty memberof education, from the point of view of the teaching staff. In this study the researcher employed the analytical descriptive method and the size of the sample in which the study was applied was (127) individualsof the teaching staff with a degree of Assistant Professorand above The researcher has employed questionnaire technique as a study tool. The most important findings of the study are: The study has come to the fact that the majority of the researchers managed to answer the study areas which are summarized in (the requirements needed for employing e. learning by the teaching staff، which was specified by this study، these requirements are vitally important from the point of view of the teaching staff. The most important requirements for the use of e-learning in the university faculty member. It consists in possessing the competencies of preparing courses electronically, which means designing the content or electronic curriculum in accordance with the principles of educational design. The most important recommendations of the study are: Providing all the requirements needed to put e. learning into practice (for the teaching staff members) which was determine by the study to employ e. learning in the institutions of the higher education in Sudan.  

scholarly journals On financing the state assignments to higher education institutions to perform research and development projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-135
Author(s):  
Yu.D. Shmidt ◽  
◽  
L.A. Krokhmal ◽  
N.V. Ivashina ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Planning Period ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Russian Higher Education ◽  
Scientific Potential ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The University ◽  
Significant Factors

The paper presents the issues of higher education institutions research activities efficiency and financing. Empirical data on the Russian higher education institutions research activities efficiency have been investigated. A new model for higher education institutions research activities public financing has been suggested. The model developed a methodology for calculating subsidies for basic, guaranteed funding of scientific activities of universities, designed to compensate for the cost of simple reproduction of their scientific potential. The integral index, which allows accounting the influence of statistically significant factors on the total amount of research and development work performed by the University, is formed and justified by methods of econometric modeling. The proposed approach allows us to calculate the amount of guaranteed funding for the scientific activities of each university in the planning period with a known amount of financial resources allocated for the basic financing of scientific activities of universities in the country.

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