IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i17p7847-d1474199.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Advancing University Education: Exploring the Benefits of Education for Sustainable Development

Author

Listed:
  • Diego Bonilla-Jurado

    (Centro de Innovación y Transferencia Tecnológica, Instituto Superior Tecnológico España, Ambato 180103, Ecuador)

  • Ember Zumba

    (Carrera de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Mecánica, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060106, Ecuador)

  • Araceli Lucio-Quintana

    (Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias Recursos Naturales y del Ambiente, Universidad Estatal de Bolívar, Guaranda 020103, Ecuador)

  • Carlos Yerbabuena-Torres

    (Carrera de Pedagogía de la Historia y las Ciencias Sociales, Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación Humanas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060110, Ecuador)

  • Andrea Ramírez-Casco

    (Carrera de Finanzas, Facultad Administración de Empresas (FADE), Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060106, Ecuador)

  • Cesar Guevara

    (Centro de Investigación en Mecatrónica y Sistemas Interactivos (MIST), Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Ambato 180103, Ecuador)

Abstract

This article addresses the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in higher education institutions, exploring its effects on academic performance and students’ ability to address sustainability challenges. Using the PRISMA 2020 methodology for a systematic literature review, 50 relevant articles were selected from 543 records, providing data on the academic impacts of ESD through bibliometric approaches and surveys. The results revealed that ESD improves academic performance, motivation and engagement, as well as enhances students’ ability to solve complex problems sustainably. However, significant barriers, such as a lack of resources and adequate teacher training, hinder effective implementation. Approximately 60% of students in ESD programs show greater motivation and analytical abilities compared to 50% in traditional programs. ESD enriches academic training and equips students with essential practical skills, preparing them to be agents of positive change. Incorporating emerging technologies and participatory learning methods is crucial to enhancing ESD effectiveness. Greater investment in teacher training and standardized educational materials, along with the promotion of international collaboration to share resources and best practices, is required.

Suggested Citation

  • Diego Bonilla-Jurado & Ember Zumba & Araceli Lucio-Quintana & Carlos Yerbabuena-Torres & Andrea Ramírez-Casco & Cesar Guevara, 2024. "Advancing University Education: Exploring the Benefits of Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-27, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:17:p:7847-:d:1474199
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/17/7847/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/17/7847/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adesuwa Vanessa Agbedahin, 2019. "Sustainable development, Education for Sustainable Development, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Emergence, efficacy, eminence, and future," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(4), pages 669-680, July.
    2. Eleni Sinakou & Jelle Boeve-de Pauw & Peter Van Petegem, 2019. "Exploring the concept of sustainable development within education for sustainable development: implications for ESD research and practice," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Ioannis Georgakopoulos & Dimitrios Piromalis & Stamatios Ntanos & Vassilis Zakopoulos & Panagiotis Makrygiannis, 2023. "A Prediction Model for Remote Lab Courses Designed upon the Principles of Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Philip Hallinger & Chatchai Chatpinyakoop, 2019. "A Bibliometric Review of Research on Higher Education for Sustainable Development, 1998–2018," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Cristina Tripon & Iulia Gonța & Aurelia Bulgac, 2023. "Nurturing Minds and Sustainability: An Exploration of Educational Interactions and Their Impact on Student Well-Being and Assessment in a Sustainable University," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Erika González García & Ernesto Colomo Magaña & Andrea Cívico Ariza, 2020. "Quality Education as a Sustainable Development Goal in the Context of 2030 Agenda: Bibliometric Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-18, July.
    7. Mirjam Braßler & Sandra Sprenger, 2021. "Fostering Sustainability Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours through a Tutor-Supported Interdisciplinary Course in Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-21, March.
    8. Elena De la Poza & Paloma Merello & Antonio Barberá & Alberto Celani, 2021. "Universities’ Reporting on SDGs: Using THE Impact Rankings to Model and Measure Their Contribution to Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-28, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Juan Abello-Romero & Claudio Mancilla & Walter Sáez & Francisco Ganga-Contreras & Ivette Durán-Seguel, 2023. "Sustainable Development and Corporate Sustainability of Chilean State Universities: Evidence from Their Strategic Elements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. 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.
    3. Beatriz Martín Bautista-Cerro & Anabel Castillo-Rodríguez & Justo García-Navarro, 2023. "Contribution of European University Alliances to Education for Sustainable Development and to the SDGs: A Case Study on the Circular EELISA Community," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-14, November.
    4. Liliana Pedraja-Rejas & Emilio Rodríguez-Ponce & Camila Muñoz-Fritis & David Laroze, 2023. "Sustainable Development Goals and Education: A Bibliometric Review—The Case of Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.
    5. Khosbayar Nyamsuren & Zolzaya Gankhuyag & Jargalmaa Ganbaatar & Nicolae Marinescu, 2024. "The Importance of Studying Abroad for a Sustainable Education: Research on Mongolian Student Opinions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-22, July.
    6. Sibilla Montanari & Evi Agostini & Denis Francesconi, 2023. "Are We Talking about Green Skills or Sustainability Competences? A Scoping Review Using Scientometric Analysis of Two Apparently Similar Topics in the Field of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-25, September.
    7. 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.
    8. Caroline Leininger-Frézal & Sandra Sprenger, 2022. "Virtual Field Trips in Binational Collaborative Teacher Training: Opportunities and Challenges in the Context of Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, October.
    9. Nay Chi Khin Khin Oo & Sirisuhk Rakthin, 2022. "Integrative Review of Absorptive Capacity’s Role in Fostering Organizational Resilience and Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-27, October.
    10. Elisa Gavari-Starkie & Patricia-Teresa Espinosa-Gutiérrez & Cristina Lucini-Baquero, 2022. "Sustainability through STEM and STEAM Education Creating Links with the Land for the Improvement of the Rural World," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, October.
    11. Haoyi Huang & Eddie W. L. Cheng, 2022. "Sustainability Education in China: Lessons Learnt from the Teaching of Geography," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-19, January.
    12. David Steingard & Kathleen Rodenburg, 2023. "Societal Impacts of Higher Education Research: From ‘Publish or Perish’ to ‘Publish and Prosper’ in Business School Scholarship," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-15, July.
    13. Esther Prieto-Jiménez & Luis López-Catalán & Blanca López-Catalán & Guillermo Domínguez-Fernández, 2021. "Sustainable Development Goals and Education: A Bibliometric Mapping Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-20, February.
    14. Soo Jeung Lee & Christian Schneijderberg & Yangson Kim & Isabel Steinhardt, 2021. "Have Academics’ Citation Patterns Changed in Response to the Rise of World University Rankings? A Test Using First-Citation Speeds," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-19, August.
    15. Honghui Zhu & Xin Zheng, 2024. "Evolutionary Characteristics, Regional Differences and Spatial Convergence of China’s Sustainable Agricultural Development Level," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-29, June.
    16. Suliman Abdalla & Elnazir Ramadan & Mohammed Ali K. Al-Belushi & Nawal Al-Hooti, 2024. "Unveiling the Role of Arab Universities in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-24, July.
    17. Najihath Basheer & Vian Ahmed & Zied Bahroun & Chiraz Anane, 2024. "Exploring Sustainability Assessment Practices in Higher Education: A Comprehensive Review through Content and Bibliometric Analyses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-32, July.
    18. Olusiji Adebola Lasekan & Felipe Opazo & Claudia Myrna Méndez Alarcón, 2024. "Enhancing Sustainable Development Goal Integration in Chilean Citizenship Education: A Thematic Analysis of Textbook Content and Instructional Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-17, June.
    19. Hiep-Hung Pham & Thi-Kieu-Trang Dong & Quan-Hoang Vuong & Dinh-Hai Luong & Tien-Trung Nguyen & Viet-Hung Dinh & Manh-Tung Ho, 2021. "A bibliometric review of research on international student mobilities in Asia with Scopus dataset between 1984 and 2019," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(6), pages 5201-5224, June.
    20. Sarfraz Aslam & Khalida Parveen & Abdulelah A. Alghamdi & Safdar Abbas & Akhter Habib Shah & Kesavan Vadakalur Elumalai, 2022. "Hopes for the Future: Capturing the Perspectives of Students on Higher Education and Sustainable Development in the Post-Pandemic Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:17:p:7847-:d:1474199. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.