Promoting Education for Sustainable Development: Challenges and Issues for Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan

Abstract

Education is critical agent of transformation in terms of changing life styles, attitude and behavior. The role of education in pursuit of Sustainable Development is indispensable. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1987) The recent trend in the depletion of natural resources, energy, water and food crises, has increased and challenged the role of higher education institutions in Pakistan. The question arises "To what extent our higher education & research institutions are playing their role in order to ameliorate the situation? The other questions that come to mind are "how higher education institutions can respond to prevailing intricate situation? And what role can these institutions play for promoting education for sustainability?This research study intends to critically examine the role of higher education institutions for the promotion of education for sustainability and to explore the opportunities for the integration of education for sustainability considerations in the existing courses being offered in the universities of Pakistan. This study intends to analyze the National Conservation strategy (NCS) of Pakistan with reference to the promotion of education for sustainability.

Education for sustainable development in Pakistani higher education institutions: an exploratory study of students’ and teachers’ perceptions

“…Therefore, the NCS recommends updating the curriculum and incorporating environmental factors into bachelor’s and master’s degrees of all eligible educational institutions. It is also proposed to establish an independent environment divisions in all agricultural and engineering universities (Alvi and Aziz, 2002; Mughal et al , 2011).…”

“…Provisions concerning the development of environment divisions within agricultural and engineering universities are also expected to generate positive results to realize the outcomes of SD. Recently, there has been an increasing focus on climate and SD in higher education of Pakistan (Mughal et al , 2011; Kalsoom et al , 2018).…”

“…Universities have begun to prioritize the inclusion of ESD-related concepts in their bachelor’s and master’s programs. In particular, they have integrated biodiversity themes, Pakistan’s ecological zones, natural resources, plants, energy resources and climate change (Mughal et al , 2011; Mirza, 2015). However, there is very limited research on the extent and effectiveness of ESD in Pakistan.…”

Lack of Environmental Sustainability in Youth Training at Higher Education

“…These responses link with the issues raised by Mughal, Qaisrani, Solangi, and Faiz (2011). These also explain that the disintegration of EPA and university management is still widening.…”

The Barriers and Challenges Faced by Private Sector Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Promoting Sustainable Development: A Qualitative Inquiry in Pakistan

“…The stakeholders in HEIs include the university leadership, teaching faculty, administrative staff, students and external bodies (Wright& Wilton 2012), that can play a collaborative role in making Pakistan a sustainable nation. Despite the fact that sustainability in HEIs has been looked into for more than twenty years but little attention has been given in promoting the sustainability of HEIs in Pakistan (Mughal, Qaisrani, Solangi, & Faiz, 2011). It has been identified by Wright (2006) that there is still a gap in understanding of the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development among the stakeholders in HEIs.…”