Toward the Possibility of Implementation of Education for Sustainable Development at the University Level

Abstract

The theoretical part of the paper explores the concept of sustainable development, the importance of education for sustainable development, which can contribute to a sustainable future, the responsibility for the systematic promotion and implementation of education for sustainable development, and the need to implement sustainability topics in study programs. The empirical part of the paper presents the results of a study conducted in 2016 on a representative sample of students at the University of Rijeka (N=1347), which are then compared with a similar study conducted in 2010 (N=1001). It examines students’ attitudes toward some dimensions of education for sustainable development and their interest in different topics of sustainable development, as well as their interest in study programs to be focused on these topics and concept. It also analyses their perception of the possibilities and ways of implementing sustainable development issues into study programs, and of the responsibility for a systematic promotion and implementation of sustainable development education. A comparison between the 2010 and 2016 surveys concludes that students cite similar courses and topics that cover sustainable development. However, in 2016 sample they show less interest in all levels of study offered in the field of sustainable development. Furthermore, some students point out that they do not have sufficient knowledge on sustainable development, and some believe that sustainability topics need to be implemented at earlier levels of education.