Browsing by Author "Sivapalan, Subarna"
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- Assessing the impacts of sustainability teaching at higher education institutionsPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Trevisan, Laís Viera; Sivapalan, Subarna; Mazhar, Muhammad; Kounani, Aristea; Mbah, Marcellus Forh; Abubakar, Ismaila Rimi; Matandirotya, Newton R.; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Borsari, Bruno; Abzug, RikkiThe necessity of sustainability teaching (ST) has recently become increasingly crucial due to several interrelated factors. The world faces significant environmental challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, pollution, and resource depletion. ST equips students with the knowledge and tools to address these issues and work towards a more sustainable future. ST helps students understand these complex challenges and fosters holistic problem-solving skills. ST at higher education institutions (HEIs) can take place in various modalities, including lectures, hands-on projects, field trips, simulations, and collaborative learning to enhance knowledge and develop competencies. The impact of ST at HEIs may be measured through multiple avenues, such as student surveys, interviews with faculty, and research studies on the effectiveness of sustainability courses. This paper reports on a study that assessed the current impact of ST at HEIs. The data collection used a multi-methods approach, which included a bibliometric analysis, the assessment of a set of case studies, and an international survey conducted with teaching staff from HEIs in 38 countries. The evidence supporting ST is presented and discussed, indicating how current teaching programmes are being delivered and their degree of success. The results show that the literature on ST has evolved substantially over the past years and covers a wide range of areas, as demonstrated by the various clusters. The case studies, in turn, show multiple real-world examples of how HEIs across diverse geographic regions have implemented ST practices and their implications. The paper’s novelty lies in its approach to evaluating sustainability education’s effectiveness and broader impacts on HEIs. It offers a unique approach by integrating assessments across multiple disciplines, showing how ST impacts students´ education. Also, the study tracks the impacts of the sustainability literature, providing insights into how sustainability education shapes students’ professional prospects. Finally, the paper shows the status of sustainability education across different HEIs and countries, offering a broader perspective on how it is implemented into practice. The study concludes by suggesting measures that may maximize the impact of sustainability courses in HEIs curricula and, among other things, the overall campus culture toward sustainable development.
- Ensuring sustainability in internationalisation efforts at higher education institutionsPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Viera Trevisan, Laís; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Sivapalan, Subarna; Wahaj, Zujaja; Liakh, OlenaPurpose – Higher education institutions (HEIs) around the world are engaged in internationalisation efforts. Yet internationalisation per se is associated with significant pressures on the environment and environmental resources, which need to be addressed. Therefore, this study assessed the opportunities, benefits, and challenges associated with the internationalisation of universities at a global level. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 27 relevant case studies were extracted from the literature to illustrate how HEIs worldwide are ensuring sustainability in their internationalisation efforts. Findings – Through case studies of international HEIs, the study lists the opportunities, benefits, and challenges associated with the internationalisation of universities at a global level and some of the measures that may be deployed to reduce the environmental impacts of their international activities. Originality/value - This study provides a welcome contribution to the literature since it outlines some of the works taking place at universities, where matters related to sustainable development are considered against a background of internationalisation efforts.
- Sustainability practices at higher education institutions in AsiaPublication . Leal Filho, Walter; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Sivapalan, Subarna; Begum, Halima; Ng, Theam Foo; Al-Amin, Abul Quasem; Alam, Gazi Mahabubul; Sharifi, Ayyoob; Salvia, Amanda Lange; Kalsoom, Qudsia; Saroar, Mustafa; Neiva, SamaraPurpose - It is still unclear how Asian universities incorporate the theory or practice of sustainable development (SD) in their research and education programmes. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to report on a study that has examined how universities in Asian countries handle and address matters related to SD. Design/methodology/approach - The study used a bibliometric analysis and an online survey-method. The online survey data were analysed through descriptive analysis and one-sample student’s t-test. Findings – The study indicates that there is considerable variation among the Asian countries regarding sustainability practices in higher education institutions (HEIs). The HEIs in far eastern countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are perceived to demonstrate more sustainability practices. Research limitations/implications - Even though a substantial number of participants participated in the survey, it did not cover all Asian countries. The online survey was carried out over a limited period of time, and not all HEIs in the field may have received information about the study. Practical implications – Asia is the largest continent facing a number of sustainability challenges. In this context, the contribution of HEIs is very important. The findings of the current study may serve as a baseline for Asian HEIs to take more initiatives towards SD goals, as HEIs are responsible for the education and training of hundreds of thousands of students who will be occupying key positions in industry, government or education in the coming years. Originality/value – The study contributes to the existing literature in two distinct ways. First, it was possible to develop a comprehensive instrument to measure sustainability practices in HEIs. Second, this study has filled the gap of the scarcity of studies regarding sustainability practices in HEIs in Asia.