Sustainability ::exploring gaps in higher education

This developmental paper aims to demonstrate how higher education (HE) plays an important role in developing their student’s awareness of sustainability challenges and their economic, social, and environmental responsibilities. At present, HE institutions vary in the extent of sustainability courses, programs, and degrees. Further, HE institutions present sustainability topics in single or multidisciplinary courses, optional or mandatory courses, and inside/outside the classroom. Student knowledge of sustainability varies, yet their engagement towards sustainability is crucial to their future. It does not suffice to learn sustainability concepts; rather, students must understand the relevance to their future career. Through the sustainability literacy test, we aim to fill this gap by conducting an international study within two HE institutions to analyze how much students know about sustainability and how this knowledge affects their future actions