A student perspective on sustainable development in Portuguese higher education institutions

Aleixo, Ana Marta; Azeiteiro, Ulisses M.; Leal, Susana

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/5186

Use this identifier to reference this record.

Name:	Size:	Format:
Comunicacao-Oral-CCS2020_AnaMartaAleixo_VF.pdf	872.96 KB	Adobe PDF	Download
Comunicacao-Oral-CCS2020_AnaMartaAleixo_VF.mp4	17.5 MB	audio/basic	Download
Resumo_Conferencia.pdf	420.12 KB	Adobe PDF	Download

Send Feedback

Authors

Aleixo, Ana Marta

Azeiteiro, Ulisses M.

Leal, Susana

Abstract(s)

This study presents a descriptive and exploratory research about the understanding of sustainable development (SD) among public higher education institutions’ students, in Portugal. It explores the student’s perspectives about SD through the analysis of their attitudes, skills and experiences on the theme. Their knowledge about sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their opinion about the importance of SD as future professionals were also under consideration. The research design of the study follows a descriptive and exploratory approach with a quantitative reporting of results. It was used an on-line questionnaire, adapted, majority, from the National Union Students (2018), to obtain the data. A sample of 1257 students from the Portuguese public higher education institutions (HEIs) was obtained. Students consider that HEIs can do more in terms of education for SD, namely: (i) offer free SD courses/workshops; (ii) streamline/develop actions on SD; (iii) encourage volunteer actions in the community, and (iv) promote student participation in practical on-campus actions. Students also consider that secondary education was the educational path that most encouraged to think and act in ways that help the environment and people. Most students already have heard about SDGs and know what they are, however, only a small number of students are actively involved in activities organized by their HEI. This research has a national scope and the results should be interpreted only in the Portuguese context. Future studies should include a larger range of institutional actors within the faculty. The research aimed to better understanding student’s attitudes, skills and experiences of SD and SDG´s. This study provides valuable insights for future implementation processes supporting the integration to sustainability in HEIs. The results could be used by HEIs to introduce the SD topics in formal and informal education, as well as to improve it integration on campus activities.

Description

Acknowledgments : Thanks are due for the financial support (i) to CESAM (UID/AMB/50017/2019), (ii) to CIEQV (UID/CED/04748/2019) and (iii) to FCT/MCTES through national funds, and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020.

Keywords

Portugal Sustainable development Students of higher education Student perceptions Skills Behaviors

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/5186

Citation

Aleixo, A.M., Azeitiero, U.M., & Leal, S. (2020, October 30). A student perspective on sustainable development in Portuguese higher education Institutions [Oral presentation]. CCs2020, 2ª Conferência Campus Sustentável