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Engineers Changing the World: Education for Sustainability in Romanian Technical Universities—An Empirical Web-Based Content Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Lidia Alexa

    (“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron Blvd. no. 67, Iași 700050, Romania)

  • Veronica Maier

    (Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Memorandumului Street 28, Cluj-Napoca 400114, Romania)

  • Anca Șerban

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Victoriei Blvd. no. 10, Sibiu 550024, Romania)

  • Razvan Craciunescu

    (The University Politehnica of Bucharest, Splaiul Independenței 313, Bucharest 060042, Romania)

Abstract

Without a doubt, we are living in interesting times, characterized by both continuous economic development and improved standard of living, but also uncertainty, increased pollution, and environmental degradation, which means that, now, more than ever, global and consistent action is needed in order to create a more sustainable future. In this context, education in general and higher education in particular, face both, a significant challenge and a substantial role due to their formative function both in terms of mindset and practical tools. The main objective of our research was to explore the way technical universities in Romania have integrated into their curricula courses that aim at shaping sustainability competencies in engineering students. The study was carried out based on an exploratory empirical content analysis of the technical universities’ curricula, in order to identify the courses, including sustainable development (SD)-related topics. The analysis covered 255 bachelor programs and 394 master programs with a total of 25,920 courses, both mandatory and optional. The results revealed that there are differences in approaching sustainability education between the universities and also faculties within the universities included in the sample, revealing a rather siloed approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Lidia Alexa & Veronica Maier & Anca Șerban & Razvan Craciunescu, 2020. "Engineers Changing the World: Education for Sustainability in Romanian Technical Universities—An Empirical Web-Based Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:5:p:1983-:d:328726
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Daniela De Filippo & Javier Benayas & Karem Peña & Flor Sánchez, 2020. "Communication on Sustainability in Spanish Universities: Analysis of Websites, Scientific Papers and Impact in Social Media," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-21, October.
    3. Carlos Cacciuttolo & Yaneth Vásquez & Deyvis Cano & Fernando Valenzuela, 2023. "Research Thesis for Undergraduate Engineering Programs in the Digitalization Era: Learning Strategies and Responsible Research Conduct Road to a University Education 4.0 Paradigm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-27, July.
    4. Deepti Mishra & Alok Mishra, 2020. "Sustainability Inclusion in Informatics Curriculum Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-16, July.
    5. Claudia E. Stoian & Simona Șimon & Vasile Gherheș, 2021. "A Comparative Analysis of the Use of the Concept of Sustainability in the Romanian Top Universities’ Strategic Plans," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-34, September.
    6. Andreea Mirica & Ionela-Roxana Petcu & Liliana Catrina & Roxana-Violeta Partas-Ciolan & Adina-Andreea Neamtu, 2023. "Sustainability Competences In Romanian Higher Education," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1, pages 105-113, February.
    7. Gabriel-Mugurel Dragomir & Mariana Cernicova-Buca & Vasile Gherheș & Liliana Cismariu, 2020. "Engineering Students’ Human Values as Rhizomatic Lines of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-27, September.

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