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I. I. Berchin et al.
• The implementation of innovative management practices for HEIs, transforming
behaviors and stimulating the adoption of new technologies for sustainability;
• Innovative education methodologies and practices, integrating research, collaboration, practical and active learning;
• Research, through the development of new knowledge, technologies and methods;
• Outreach, through the exchange of knowledge between different HEIs and stakeholders, promoting the development of local communities;
• The adoption of innovative practices on campus, through sustainability initiatives,
decreasing HEIs’ ecological footprint, stimulating learning and raising sustainability awareness in both internal and external communities.
Universities operate as learning environments to the students and the communities
surrounding its campuses; therefore, these institutions can inspire, shape behaviors
and influence a large contingent of people towards sustainability through the adoption
of programs regarding research, outreach and education for sustainable development.
Universities and their campuses operate as living labs when allowing experimentation and collaboration among students and the community, which must be funded on
sustainability’s core principles. Besides reducing HEIs ecological footprint, sustainable environments act as an innovation ecosystem, guided by sustainable principles
allowing practical experimentation on campus. Moreover, imbedding sustainability
in educational institutions, transforming them into living labs through sustainable
buildings and facilities, creative and collaborative environments, collaboration and
knowledge dissemination, and outreach, contributes to the promotion of local sustainable development.
The analysis of the interviews with Unisul’s faculty, suggests that sustainable
learning environments enable students and professors to experience and discuss
themes of sustainability and the environment inside and outside the classroom,
increasing their awareness and knowledge concerning sustainability and innovative
practices. Also inspiring local communities and influencing their development.
According to the interviewees, the main sustainable practices implemented at
Unisul’s campuses relate to solar energy generation, energy efficiency programs,
waste management, rainwater collection and water reuse, the development of a hydroponic food garden, innovative research and learning environments through research
centers, laboratories, innovation labs and students’ enterprises.
Based on the international scientific literature and the interviewees’ discourse
analysis, this research presents some recommendations for sustainable campuses and
development in universities. Moreover, ethics, transparency, and multidisciplinarity
are fundamental principles that must be pursued by HEIs to achieve sustainable
development.
• Recommendation 1: The construction of sustainable buildings and the renovation
of existing buildings with sustainability standards.
• Recommendation 2: The creation of creative and collaborative environments,
also enabling innovation and active learning environments.
I. I. Berchin et al.
• The implementation of innovative management practices for HEIs, transforming
behaviors and stimulating the adoption of new technologies for sustainability;
• Innovative education methodologies and practices, integrating research, collaboration, practical and active learning;
• Research, through the development of new knowledge, technologies and methods;
• Outreach, through the exchange of knowledge between different HEIs and stakeholders, promoting the development of local communities;
• The adoption of innovative practices on campus, through sustainability initiatives,
decreasing HEIs’ ecological footprint, stimulating learning and raising sustainability awareness in both internal and external communities.
Universities operate as learning environments to the students and the communities
surrounding its campuses; therefore, these institutions can inspire, shape behaviors
and influence a large contingent of people towards sustainability through the adoption
of programs regarding research, outreach and education for sustainable development.
Universities and their campuses operate as living labs when allowing experimentation and collaboration among students and the community, which must be funded on
sustainability’s core principles. Besides reducing HEIs ecological footprint, sustainable environments act as an innovation ecosystem, guided by sustainable principles
allowing practical experimentation on campus. Moreover, imbedding sustainability
in educational institutions, transforming them into living labs through sustainable
buildings and facilities, creative and collaborative environments, collaboration and
knowledge dissemination, and outreach, contributes to the promotion of local sustainable development.
The analysis of the interviews with Unisul’s faculty, suggests that sustainable
learning environments enable students and professors to experience and discuss
themes of sustainability and the environment inside and outside the classroom,
increasing their awareness and knowledge concerning sustainability and innovative
practices. Also inspiring local communities and influencing their development.
According to the interviewees, the main sustainable practices implemented at
Unisul’s campuses relate to solar energy generation, energy efficiency programs,
waste management, rainwater collection and water reuse, the development of a hydroponic food garden, innovative research and learning environments through research
centers, laboratories, innovation labs and students’ enterprises.
Based on the international scientific literature and the interviewees’ discourse
analysis, this research presents some recommendations for sustainable campuses and
development in universities. Moreover, ethics, transparency, and multidisciplinarity
are fundamental principles that must be pursued by HEIs to achieve sustainable
development.
• Recommendation 1: The construction of sustainable buildings and the renovation
of existing buildings with sustainability standards.
• Recommendation 2: The creation of creative and collaborative environments,
also enabling innovation and active learning environments.