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Can Online Learning about UNESCO Biosphere Reserves Change the Perception on SDGs and Different Aspects of Sustainability between Japanese and International Students?

Author

Listed:
  • Aida Mammadova

    (Organization of Global Affairs, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 921-1192, Japan)

  • Nazam Ali

    (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Management and Technology, Lahore 54770, Pakistan)

  • Krisada Chaiyasarn

    (Thammasat Research Unit in Infrastructure Inspection and Monitoring, Repair and Strengthening (IIMRS), Thammasat School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University Rangsit, Pathum Thani 12000, Thailand)

Abstract

Sustainability is one of the main global concerns to deal with and know-how about is it important for the unprecedented survival to cope with the social, political, economic, and energy scarcity issues. Higher institutions are important learning places which can play the role of transformation and create the opportunities and avenues in order to minimize the barriers towards more sustainable future. In this research study, an online training program for the understanding of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sustainability was designed. Students from different Japanese and International Universities were invited for two weeks of training program. A Comprehensive questionnaire was designed in which students were introduced about UNESCO Biosphere reserves, SDGs, and different concepts of sustainability. The analysis of the statistical results confirm that the understanding of the students has improved after the online training program about SDGs and different aspects of sustainability. The results imply that the understanding of the international students about SDGs and sustainability is more as compared with the Japanese students. In 14 out of 17 SDGs, the familiarity of international students is more as compared with their counterparts. In this exploratory study, some of the challenges faced by the universities are also identified which impede the efforts for the implementation of goals and initiatives towards sustainable development. It has been concluded that the universities must design dedicated training programs to seize the opportunities for improving the understanding of the students and promotion of sustainable initiatives by using UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as learning platforms through innovation in teaching, research, and trainings. The possible limitations of this research study can be; (a) it involves the professionals about SDGs, which might have made the online training program as intensive one, giving some vague idea about SDGs and sustainability to the students, (b) though the personal information of the students were not gathered, however, the broader scope of the research study have provided strong international base which can be used as an adequate profile of sustainability and comprehension of SDGs currently being found in the universities. Design of practical implications is imperative for stimulating the creativity and autonomy about the comprehension of SDGs and sustainability to meet the demands of present and future challenges imposed for sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Aida Mammadova & Nazam Ali & Krisada Chaiyasarn, 2022. "Can Online Learning about UNESCO Biosphere Reserves Change the Perception on SDGs and Different Aspects of Sustainability between Japanese and International Students?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7596-:d:845027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aida Mammadova, 2021. "Integrating Japanese Local Government and Communities into the Educational Curriculum on Regional Sustainability Inside the UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Louis Meuleman & Ingeborg Niestroy, 2015. "Common But Differentiated Governance: A Metagovernance Approach to Make the SDGs Work," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-27, September.
    3. Hasnan Baber, 2020. "Determinants of Students’ Perceived Learning Outcome and Satisfaction in Online Learning during the Pandemic of COVID19," Journal of Education and e-Learning Research, Asian Online Journal Publishing Group, vol. 7(3), pages 285-292.
    4. Abdullah, Muhammad & Ali, Nazam & Hussain, Syed Arif & Aslam, Atif Bilal & Javid, Muhammad Ashraf, 2021. "Measuring changes in travel behavior pattern due to COVID-19 in a developing country: A case study of Pakistan," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 21-33.
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