Journal article
Education for sustainable development and sustainability consciousness: evidence from Malaysian universities
International journal of sustainability in higher education, Vol.24(1), pp.193-211
05/01/2023
Metrics
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to understand the practices and perceptions of education for sustainable development (ESD) in the university classrooms of Malaysia, exploring how holistic, pluralistic and action-oriented approaches to ESD were linked to their knowingness, attitudes and behavior regarding sustainability. Design/methodology/approach: The perceptions of 2,678 students and 1,013 teachers from a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses at four Malaysian universities were surveyed. Their views of ESD and sustainability consciousness (SC) were recorded on five-point Likert-type scales, and the resulting data was investigated using descriptive and analytical statistics.
Findings: Holistic, pluralistic and action-oriented approaches to ESD teaching and learning were widespread in Malaysian universities, with significant associations found between ESD approaches and SC. While all three approaches enhanced each aspect of SC, the results indicated the need to develop action-oriented approaches more fully.
Originality/value: This research underlines the importance of sustainability education in the context of higher education. It provides empirical evidence for developing action-oriented approaches to ESD and confirms the utility of holistic content and pluralistic pedagogy to the teaching and learning of sustainability.
Details
- Title
- Education for sustainable development and sustainability consciousness: evidence from Malaysian universities
- Creators
- Atif Saleem - Zhejiang Normal UniversitySarfraz Aslam - Yulin UniversityGuoyuan Sang - Beijing Normal UniversityPhilip Saagyum Dare - Monash UniversityTianxue Zhang - Zhejiang Normal University
- Publication Details
- International journal of sustainability in higher education, Vol.24(1), pp.193-211
- Publisher
- Emerald Group Publishing
- Number of pages
- 19
- Identifiers
- 991013317614002368
- Copyright
- © Emerald Publishing Limited.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article