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Linking SDGs, Competencies, and Learning Outcomes: A Tool for Curriculum Alignment in Higher Education

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  • Teresa Magraner

    (Faculty of Engineering, Distance University of Madrid (UDIMA), C/Coruña, km 38500, 28400 Collado Villalba, Madrid, Spain
    Department of Applied Thermodynamics, Universitat Politècnica València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain)

  • Isabel C. Gil-García

    (Faculty of Engineering, Distance University of Madrid (UDIMA), C/Coruña, km 38500, 28400 Collado Villalba, Madrid, Spain)

  • Ana Fernández-Guillamón

    (Faculty of Engineering, Distance University of Madrid (UDIMA), C/Coruña, km 38500, 28400 Collado Villalba, Madrid, Spain
    Department of Applied Mechanics and Projects Engineering, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain)

Abstract

This paper presents a structured strategy for integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into university courses by linking them to competencies and learning outcomes. The proposed methodology, based on fuzzy logic, evaluates the degree of alignment between teaching activities and selected SDGs through matrices that connect competencies with assessment activities and expected learning outcomes, improving the gap regarding the inclusion of the SDGs and their articulation in terms of competencies. The approach was applied to two subjects from the Master’s Degree in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the Distance University of Madrid: “Electricity Market” and “Wind Energy”. In both cases, the learning outcomes were redesigned, and the activities were adjusted to ensure meaningful incorporation of sustainability principles into the curriculum. The method enables quantification of each activity’s contribution to the SDGs and supports a critical review of curriculum design to ensure coherent integration. The results indicate that project-based activities show the highest alignment with the SDGs, particularly with Goals 7, and 12, which achieve an average rating of 0.7 (high). The developed tool provides a practical and replicable solution for sustainability-oriented curriculum planning and can be adapted to other disciplines and educational programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Teresa Magraner & Isabel C. Gil-García & Ana Fernández-Guillamón, 2025. "Linking SDGs, Competencies, and Learning Outcomes: A Tool for Curriculum Alignment in Higher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8910-:d:1766468
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    References listed on IDEAS

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