Sustainability in the Modernization of Higher Education: Curricular Transformation and Sustainable Campus—A Literature Review

Abstract

Supported by a literature review, the present article looks to address the issue of sustainability in the modernization of higher education. Education for sustainability and the encouragement of a sustainable lifestyle are increasingly present in the academic and professional training of individuals. Progressively more responsible for the environment in which they operate, individuals, in order to preserve their quality of life and, above all, ensure quality of life for future generations, begin to assume new behaviors, such as the rationalization of energy and water consumption, reducing the use of paper, recycling products, and eliminating the use of plastics, among other behavioral changes. In this context, considering higher education institutions as a vital source for the development of sustainability and, consequently, a key lever in the definition and implementation of strategies conducive to sustainable development, it is through the teaching, training, research, and development carried out by them that these behavioral changes occur. Aware of this issue’s relevance, the present article, consisting of a critical review of the literature, seeks to answer a set of questions, such as “What role do academic managers, teachers and students assume in the search for sustainability?”; “What measures/actions have been developed by the HEIs in terms of curricula reform and the promotion of a sustainable campus?”; “What sustainability metrics are used in higher education?”. Giving particular emphasis to some studies about sustainability in different HEIs, the results of the research allow us to conclude that education for sustainability is seen as a tool of crucial importance in the current decade of the 21st century.

Education for Sustainability—Some Bibliometric Insights

“…Also related to the analysis of academics as opinion-formers are studies that have tested their development in the field of sustainability as a result of going through training processes, with their perception of education for sustainable development evolving towards more complex views [31]. With the aim of preserving the quality of life and, above all, ensuring the quality of life of future generations, individuals are beginning to adopt new behaviors, such as rationalizing energy and water consumption, reducing paper use, recycling products, and eliminating the use of plastics, among other behavioral changes that they can propagate in society through education [32].…”

“…The Transformative Learning Cluster, also located in the Basic Themes quadrant, is notable for its high centrality (6) and relatively high frequency (316). Along with the "transformative learning" concept (56), the cluster's top three concepts include "systems thinking" (32) and "professional development" (31). Other concepts encompass "science education" (30), "transdisciplinarity" (28), and "critical thinking" (24), among others.…”

Research on the Construction of Index System to Promote the Sustainable Development of Core Literacy of Physical Education Teachers in Chinese Universities from the Perspective of Higher Education Modernization

“…In accordance with the prevailing trend of the times, it is imperative to reinforce the cultivation of diverse competencies. Sustainability science and sustainability education, which is an emerging field within the educational sciences, constitute the scientific basis for sustainability education in higher education [3]. The advancement of modernization in higher education plays a pivotal role in the construction of education systems embodying characteristics of the new era.…”

“…The cultivation of teachers' core accomplishments is related to the development of students' core accomplishments and the construction of physical education and health curriculum, which is the key element to supporting the implementation of the strategic task of higher education modernization. In recent years, the field of education for sustainability in higher education has seen rapid development [3]. As a result, education modernization has been achieved, and countries have gradually become education powerhouses, vigorously promoting comprehensive reforms in the education sector.…”

Stakeholder Perspectives on the Management and Implementation of Campus Autonomy in Tribhuvan University Nepal: A Qualitative Analysis

“…Effective communication is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition toward autonomy (Harris et al, 2022). The framework of strategic planning, resource allocation, governance structures, and stakeholder engagement is essential for achieving sustainable autonomy in higher education institutions (Gupta & Choubey, 2021;Machado & Davim, 2023). The framework highlights the need for institutions to assess their capacity and develop strategies to address challenges to maintain their autonomy successfully.…”