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Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Romanian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) within the SDGs Framework

Author

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  • Alexandru Sebastian Lazarov

    (Engineering and Management, Industrial and Robotics Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060032 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Augustin Semenescu

    (Engineering and Management, Industrial and Robotics Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060032 Bucharest, Romania
    Academy of Romanian Scientists, 3 Ilfov Str., 050044 Bucharest, Romania
    American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences, P.O. Box 2761, Citrus Heights, CA 95611-2761, USA)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore barriers and challenges that HEIs in Romania must overcome in order to incorporate education for sustainable development (ESD), but also to provide key recommendations regarding factors that can facilitate sustainability in higher education in Romania. In terms of the approach, a qualitative approach was used consisting of semi-structured interviews involving seven actors from Romanian HEIs, actors who are in charge of ESD adoption. All respondents were in charge of ESD adoption within the Romanian universities that were part of the analysis. The research outlined that the analyzed Romanian universities have implemented ESD, but in terms of planning and practices, they have taken isolated actions. Moreover, major barriers and challenges have been highlighted, such as: funding deficiencies, a lack of experienced officers to adopt SD, change difficulties and improper public policies. The originality of the article resides in the fact the approach is holistic, which adds value to the literature in the area, particularly since, so far, research on ESD in Romanian higher education has focused only on particular factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandru Sebastian Lazarov & Augustin Semenescu, 2022. "Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Romanian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) within the SDGs Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:1998-:d:746651
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Benjamin Nölting & Heike Molitor & Julian Reimann & Jan-Hendrik Skroblin & Nadine Dembski, 2020. "Transfer for Sustainable Development at Higher Education Institutions—Untapped Potential for Education for Sustainable Development and for Societal Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Hamed Gholami & Mohamad Faizal Bachok & Muhamad Zameri Mat Saman & Dalia Streimikiene & Safian Sharif & Norhayati Zakuan, 2020. "An ISM Approach for the Barrier Analysis in Implementing Green Campus Operations: Towards Higher Education Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-19, January.
    3. Eugénia de Matos Pedro & João Leitão & Helena Alves, 2020. "Bridging Intellectual Capital, Sustainable Development and Quality of Life in Higher Education Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-27, January.
    4. Daniela Cristina Momete & Manuel Mihail Momete, 2021. "Map and Track the Performance in Education for Sustainable Development across the European Union," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-14, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hiroko Oe & Yasuyuki Yamaoka & Hiroko Ochiai, 2022. "A Qualitative Assessment of Community Learning Initiatives for Environmental Awareness and Behaviour Change: Applying UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Chen Kim Lim & Martin Shafiihuna Haufiku & Kian Lam Tan & Minhaz Farid Ahmed & Theam Foo Ng, 2022. "Systematic Review of Education Sustainable Development in Higher Education Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-22, October.
    3. Shaposhnykov Kostiantyn & Shaposhnykova Iryna & Tanashchuk Kateryna & Filippov Volodymyr & Hrytsku Veronika & Demkiv Yuliya, 2022. "Competitiveness of the Higher Education in the Context of Ensuring Sustainable Development of the State," Management Theory and Studies for Rural Business and Infrastructure Development, Sciendo, vol. 44(3), pages 280-287, September.
    4. Corina-Ionela Dumitrescu & Georgiana Moiceanu & Razvan-Mihai Dobrescu & Mirona Ana Maria Popescu, 2022. "Analysis of UNESCO ESD Priority Areas’ Implementation in Romanian HEIs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-17, October.

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