Higher education institutions play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development—not only as educational establishments but also as pioneers of societal change. Integrating sustainability into teaching is therefore a necessary approach to empower students for the future while strengthening the role of universities as role models.
Sustainability as a Teaching Content
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education, highlight how crucial education is for a sustainable future. It is not only about imparting knowledge but, above all, promoting critical thinking and responsible action. The aim is to empower students to become active shapers of change.
Sustainability can be integrated into every discipline. In our case, the topic can be found in courses such as Energy and Environmental Engineering, Automation Engineering, or Sustainability Reporting in the Master's programme in Management and Controlling.
Additionally, there are sustainability-related offerings at the Centre for Academic Continuing Education:
- ACADEMIC PROGRAMME IN SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
- Certificate course Sustainability Practitioning Advanced
- Certificate course Sustainability Controlling Advanced
- Short programmes in the field of Sustainability
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
Sustainability in teaching is summarised in technical terminology under the term Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The Alliance of Sustainable Universities (2022) outlines a concept for how sustainability can be integrated into teaching. Detailed information can be found in this supplementary document.
To reflect on sustainability goals and principles at FH CAMPUS 02 (1), our Sustainability Advisory Board (nachhaltigkeitsbeirat@campus02.at) is available for any questions. It also regularly seeks new members to further develop strategies and guidelines for sustainability at the university.
We welcome the exchange within the departments, as the input and collaboration of all disciplines are crucial for making progress in the field of sustainability (2).
New competencies are also needed (3), which can be divided into the following five categories of the Inner Development Goals (2024):
- BEING – Relationship with oneself
- THINKING – Cognitive abilities
- RELATING – Caring for others and the world
- COLLABORATING – Social skills
- ACTING – Enabling change
Student-centred teaching is also a central concern at FH CAMPUS 02 (4). The Centre for Higher Education Didactics is happy to support educators in developing methods that promote critical thinking, understanding, and reflection. We invite you to try out new approaches, experiment with inter- and transdisciplinarity (5), and utilise FH CAMPUS 02 as a designated learning environment (6).
Feel free to share your experiences and results (7). Under the heading “Sustainability in Teaching – Participation and Networking,” you will find further information on this topic.
Event tip: Shoehorn Workshop by the Alliance of Sustainable Universities
Online, 14 October 2024, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
In a workshop by the Alliance of Sustainable Universities, organised by FH Upper Austria and FH CAMPUS 02, educators can discuss the aforementioned points together with colleagues from Austria. The concept, specifically tailored for lecturers at universities of applied sciences, aims to expand the reflection processes and action possibilities of educators from all disciplines through interactive formats and to provide practical tools for individual, sustainable teaching. As a lecturer, you can register for free here starting now.
Sustainability in Teaching: More than Just Content
Sustainability in Teaching means much more than just imparting theory. It also concerns the everyday life at the university and the behaviour of all parties involved – universities themselves can act as role models for sustainable action.
Simple measures can already make a difference:
- Switch off devices
- Use draft ventilation instead of continuous tilt ventilation and keep doors closed in heated rooms
- make optimal use of daylight and switch off lights when leaving the room
- save paper
- Mit dem Rad oder öffentlich zur Hochschule anreisen: The CAMPUS 02 UAS bietet Mitarbeiter*innen das Klima-Ticket, eine GVB-Karte zum Entleihen und Rad-Leasing um den Weg mit nachhaltigen Alternativen zum Arbeitsplatz attraktiver zu machen.
Sustainability in teaching means not only changing content and reflecting on one’s behaviour and its impacts but also everyday actions. When students and educators consciously manage resources, promote digital teaching formats, and use energy efficiently, a learning environment is created that not only conveys but also embodies the values of sustainability.
Higher education institutions can take a pioneering role and lead by example in sustainable practices—for a future that balances economy, ecology, and social responsibility.
Sustainability in Teaching – Participation and Networking
Students at FH CAMPUS 02 are warmly invited to engage with the cross-university non-profit organisation “oikos Graz – Students for Sustainability”. This organisation provides a space where future leaders can take their first steps in promoting sustainable development.
Teaching staff at FH CAMPUS 02 are invited to actively participate in the Alliance of Sustainable Universities (BNH), particularly in the working groups focused on research, university management, and—related to this article—teaching. The existing network of 15 Austrian universities of applied sciences brings a wealth of experience that can be utilised for exchange and joint development. The BNH offers a platform to discuss experiences and share results across universities. Please contact Cornelius Hübner (+43 316 6002-740, cornelius.huebner@campus02.at) for more information.
You can find current information and further details on the sustainability website of FH CAMPUS 02.
Lastly, here’s another event tip for the first edition of the new event series by the Styrian University Conference:
Sustainability4U – EARTH TALKS STYRIA: “How do we want to live in the future? Challenges and opportunities of urban development”
The first edition of the new event series by the Styrian University Conference is dedicated to the topic of urban development and the central question: How do we want to live in the future? The event will take place on 30 October 2024 from 15:00 to 18:00 at FH JOANNEUM. Admission is free. A buffet will be served afterwards. We kindly ask for registration at https://fhj.to/earth-talks-styria-2024.