Integrating Sustainability within University Sustainability …
511
MSc SCC is assumed as a complete package because it comprises, knowledge about sustainability in cities as well as communities. This had been proven by mini thesis project which
all the students are compulsory to be passed. All students had been asked to do fieldworks
relating to local sustainability issues. In looking for the data, students learned a lot the precious knowledge which they will not be able to get it if they did not take this course. During
presentation sessions and viva, students had been rained with challenging questions by lecturers to make sure that we really understand the sustainability that had been taught during
the program. However, the best sustainability learning method nowadays is ‘Problem Based
Learning’ (PBL). This method is different from the conventional method as it focused on
the deductive (overall) before goes to the inductive (specific) matters. Through old method
(conventional), the students will be exposed with all the information about sustainability
before they will be asked to overlook at certain issues. Hence, through this PBL method,
students will be exposed to the problems or issues first of all, then afterwards, they will seek
for the solution based on the sustainability foundations framework. In context of solving
problems, then, students will refer to the knowledge in this area. This method had been
chosen in many of medical schools in United Kingdom. The same method needs to apply to
sustainable development students which not only can be more than ‘hands-on’ method, but
also teaching and learning must be more interesting and meaningful. (Respondent 5, male,
aged 43)
In her response to the question, Respondent 6, explained:
MSc SCC needs to add much more of sustainability related topics to make it more comprehensive. The learning process needs to be practising through group discussions to enable
each individual can give their ideas about sustainability issues as well as the sustainability
knowledge can be understood well. (Respondent 6, female, aged 28)
The respondents’ opinions and explanations showed that the MSc SCC programme was well packaged and has been successfully delivered by the educators.
The students can understand the sustainability aspects of community, economy and
environment very well. The only challenging part is to give a clearer picture and to
put into practice these aspects of sustainability. This is because it is easier to learn
about sustainability than putting sustainability into practice in real life.
Recently, more interactive learning methods are gaining more attention from
the students compared with the traditional lecturing learning method. The students
wanted to experience the sustainability activities outside the classroom. These activities need to be intensified within the scope of study. The course needs to integrate
outdoor activities such as fieldwork, community-engagement programmes or other
outdoor activities into the theoretical aspects of the sustainability concepts taught in
the classroom. All of these activities could be intensified using with PBL method
of teaching, so that, they will be killing two birds with one stone, participating in
outside classroom activities, as well as learn to solve the problems in it.
5 Conclusion
The summary of results from in-depth interviews that have been conducted and
recorded is presented in Table 2.
511
MSc SCC is assumed as a complete package because it comprises, knowledge about sustainability in cities as well as communities. This had been proven by mini thesis project which
all the students are compulsory to be passed. All students had been asked to do fieldworks
relating to local sustainability issues. In looking for the data, students learned a lot the precious knowledge which they will not be able to get it if they did not take this course. During
presentation sessions and viva, students had been rained with challenging questions by lecturers to make sure that we really understand the sustainability that had been taught during
the program. However, the best sustainability learning method nowadays is ‘Problem Based
Learning’ (PBL). This method is different from the conventional method as it focused on
the deductive (overall) before goes to the inductive (specific) matters. Through old method
(conventional), the students will be exposed with all the information about sustainability
before they will be asked to overlook at certain issues. Hence, through this PBL method,
students will be exposed to the problems or issues first of all, then afterwards, they will seek
for the solution based on the sustainability foundations framework. In context of solving
problems, then, students will refer to the knowledge in this area. This method had been
chosen in many of medical schools in United Kingdom. The same method needs to apply to
sustainable development students which not only can be more than ‘hands-on’ method, but
also teaching and learning must be more interesting and meaningful. (Respondent 5, male,
aged 43)
In her response to the question, Respondent 6, explained:
MSc SCC needs to add much more of sustainability related topics to make it more comprehensive. The learning process needs to be practising through group discussions to enable
each individual can give their ideas about sustainability issues as well as the sustainability
knowledge can be understood well. (Respondent 6, female, aged 28)
The respondents’ opinions and explanations showed that the MSc SCC programme was well packaged and has been successfully delivered by the educators.
The students can understand the sustainability aspects of community, economy and
environment very well. The only challenging part is to give a clearer picture and to
put into practice these aspects of sustainability. This is because it is easier to learn
about sustainability than putting sustainability into practice in real life.
Recently, more interactive learning methods are gaining more attention from
the students compared with the traditional lecturing learning method. The students
wanted to experience the sustainability activities outside the classroom. These activities need to be intensified within the scope of study. The course needs to integrate
outdoor activities such as fieldwork, community-engagement programmes or other
outdoor activities into the theoretical aspects of the sustainability concepts taught in
the classroom. All of these activities could be intensified using with PBL method
of teaching, so that, they will be killing two birds with one stone, participating in
outside classroom activities, as well as learn to solve the problems in it.
5 Conclusion
The summary of results from in-depth interviews that have been conducted and
recorded is presented in Table 2.