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Education for Sustainable Development 4.0: Lessons Learned from the University of Graz, Austria

Author

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  • Thomas Brudermann

    (Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Ralf Aschemann

    (Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Manfred Füllsack

    (Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Alfred Posch

    (Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

Abstract

Higher education for sustainable development plays a crucial role in the transformation of society towards a more sustainable pathway of development. The new trends in society and technology experienced in the course of the fourth industrial revolution come with challenges, but also provide opportunities. In this paper, we reflect on the conceptual basis of education for sustainable development as approached at the University of Graz, Austria, and contrast this basis with the expectations stated by students. The results showed that students acknowledged the high importance of digital competencies and found it highly important to be confronted with future-oriented topics and contents. Interestingly, students seemed skeptical about online course formats and digitalization of teaching and clearly preferred the interactive classroom experience. Students also rated international topics and transdisciplinary thinking as fairly important. Interestingly, a relatively high share of students only saw mediocre added value in experiencing international classrooms, and in having international teachers, when it comes to meeting their top priority, which is being competitive in the job market. Education for sustainable development in the future will not only need to prepare students for international, interdisciplinary, and digital environments, but also will need to meet the expectations of demanding and ambitious students and provide them with bright career prospects.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Brudermann & Ralf Aschemann & Manfred Füllsack & Alfred Posch, 2019. "Education for Sustainable Development 4.0: Lessons Learned from the University of Graz, Austria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:8:p:2347-:d:224226
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maria José Sá & Sandro Serpa, 2020. "The COVID-19 Pandemic as an Opportunity to Foster the Sustainable Development of Teaching in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
    2. Axel Sikora & Tanya Titova-Kosturkova & Gordana Janevska & Mitko Kostov & Simona Halunga & George Suciu & Georgi Georgiev, 2023. "EREMI: An Innovative Interdisciplinary Approach for Higher Education in Resource Efficient Manufacturing Environments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, June.

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