Embedding Sustainability
Initiative of Macquarie University in Australia
Macquarie University in Sydney conducts a study on "Embedding sustainability" to identify best practices in sustainability within current MBA programs in Australia and abroad. The evaluation is headed by the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES) and commissioned and supported by the Australian government Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH)."Embedding Sustainability" is part of the Australian Government's contribution to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) and addresses five central questions:
- What was achieved so far in terms of education about and for sustainable development in MBAs in Australia?
- What is current best practices in Australia?
- How does this compare with international best practice policies?
- Does current best practice meet the needs of business and industry for sustainability?
- Where are the opportunities for improvement in this area within MBAs and associated short courses?
© 2006 Jason Antony
"Embedding sustainability" aspires to enhance the weight of education about and for sustainable development within higher academic institutions, and empower people with the means to drive change towards sustainability. A total of thirty-seven Australian business schools are analyzed for the purpose of the study. The results draw the following conclusions:
- Nineteen of the institutions examined did not include sustainable development topics in either the core curriculum or elective classes
- Thirteen business schools were rated in the category of ‘acceptable standards'
- Only three of the Business schools' MBA programs can be qualified as ‘good practice' where core and elective subjects include education about and for sustainability
More generally, the study shows that although the means and capacity to develop sustainability practices in Australia are still limited, the sustainability agenda is gaining ground in the business and industry sectors.The idea behind education about and for sustainability is to provide people with the necessary knowledge to comprehend and embrace issues of sustainability as well as the capacity to manage and drive environmental changes. Following this study, and a conclusive workshop held at the Macquarie Graduate School of management City campus in Sydney, a recommendation for further practices was drafted with the following objectives:
- To develop industry partnerships that provide work placement and mentoring
- To revise core courses to address education for sustainable development
- To develop new optional courses on sustainability
- To offer new resources for sustainability including industry case studies
- To encourage the integration of international experience to promote change and research
- To encourage students to undertake extracurricular activities such as competitions and involving industry and alumni
- To seek to address the criteria associated with "leading edge" Business Schools
The research and its conclusions serve as a model for other possible projects involving higher education for sustainable development. "Embedding sustainability" aspires to enhance the weight of education about and for sustainable development within higher academic institutions, and empower people with the means to drive change towards sustainability. A total of thirty-seven Australian business schools are analyzed for the purpose of the study. The results draw the following conclusions:
- Nineteen of the institutions examined did not include sustainable development topics in either the core curriculum or elective classes
- Thirteen business schools were rated in the category of ‘acceptable standards'
- Only three of the Business schools' MBA programs can be qualified as ‘good practice' where core and elective subjects include education about and for sustainability
More generally, the study shows that although the means and capacity to develop sustainability practices in Australia are still limited, the sustainability agenda is gaining ground in the business and industry sectors. The idea behind education about and for sustainability is to provide people with the necessary knowledge to comprehend and embrace issues of sustainability as well as the capacity to manage and drive environmental changes. Following this study, and a conclusive workshop held at the Macquarie Graduate School of management City campus in Sydney, a recommendation for further practices was drafted with the following objectives:
- To develop industry partnerships that provide work placement and mentoring
- To revise core courses to address education for sustainable development
- To develop new optional courses on sustainability
- To offer new resources for sustainability including industry case studies
- To encourage the integration of international experience to promote change and research
- To encourage students to undertake extracurricular activities such as competitions and involving industry and alumni
- To seek to address the criteria associated with "leading edge" Business Schools
The research and its conclusions serve as a model for other possible projects involving higher education for sustainable development.
Related Link:
Macquarie University
Author(s) Clara Armand-Delille