13.8 Role of Educational Institutions
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13.8 Role of Educational Institutions
Educational institutions play a crucial role in inculcating knowledge, values,
experience, skills, and knowledge that are relevant for achieving sustainability.
These institutions also contribute to the attainment of the SDGs by supporting the
implementation of all these goals. This is achieved through research, organizational
governance, external leadership, teaching and learning, operations, and culture (see
Table 13.3). There are five major roles that educational institutions can play in
enhancing sustainability:
1. Assisting in the design of sustainability-based policies.
2. Encouraging sustainability-oriented research.
3. Nurturing and protecting sustainability businesses, including high-tech startup
organizations located close to university research programs.
4. Sustainability-based training of future leaders through experiential learning.
5. Enhancing multi-stakeholder engagement.
6. Promoting the understanding of human relations and enhancing creativity to
solve world issues that may impede sustainability.
How do you think our institution can help on this front? Explain how you can
participate in such a process.
An example of an institution that is playing a crucial role in sustainability
is the Green School in Bali. Green School educates for sustainability using
community-integrated entrepreneurial learning in a natural environment that does
not have any walls. The school’s holistic student-guided approach is a source
of inspiration and empowerment for green leaders. Green School is a structure
that has been constructed using sustainable materials, including alanglang, a local
bamboo. Located on a sustainable campus along the Ayung River, it was founded
by environmentalists and designers. The innovative bamboo structures depict the
architectural potentialities of a sustainably developed institution. Its seventy five
buildings are powered by alternative energy sources, including bio-diesel, solar
panels, and a hydro-powered vortex generator. The number of such schools should
increase for the world to become more sustainable.
The second institution that has played a crucial role in environmental sustainability is Ashesi University. Founded by Ghanaian Patrick Awuah, the university
is committed to environmental sustainability (Dias et al. 2005). From its walls
to the water running on its taps and stones, the university has embraced the best
environmental practices.
Finally, The Earth Institute at Columbia University strives to mobilize education,
public policy, and the sciences for achieving a sustainable Earth. Through the
371
13.8 Role of Educational Institutions
Educational institutions play a crucial role in inculcating knowledge, values,
experience, skills, and knowledge that are relevant for achieving sustainability.
These institutions also contribute to the attainment of the SDGs by supporting the
implementation of all these goals. This is achieved through research, organizational
governance, external leadership, teaching and learning, operations, and culture (see
Table 13.3). There are five major roles that educational institutions can play in
enhancing sustainability:
1. Assisting in the design of sustainability-based policies.
2. Encouraging sustainability-oriented research.
3. Nurturing and protecting sustainability businesses, including high-tech startup
organizations located close to university research programs.
4. Sustainability-based training of future leaders through experiential learning.
5. Enhancing multi-stakeholder engagement.
6. Promoting the understanding of human relations and enhancing creativity to
solve world issues that may impede sustainability.
How do you think our institution can help on this front? Explain how you can
participate in such a process.
An example of an institution that is playing a crucial role in sustainability
is the Green School in Bali. Green School educates for sustainability using
community-integrated entrepreneurial learning in a natural environment that does
not have any walls. The school’s holistic student-guided approach is a source
of inspiration and empowerment for green leaders. Green School is a structure
that has been constructed using sustainable materials, including alanglang, a local
bamboo. Located on a sustainable campus along the Ayung River, it was founded
by environmentalists and designers. The innovative bamboo structures depict the
architectural potentialities of a sustainably developed institution. Its seventy five
buildings are powered by alternative energy sources, including bio-diesel, solar
panels, and a hydro-powered vortex generator. The number of such schools should
increase for the world to become more sustainable.
The second institution that has played a crucial role in environmental sustainability is Ashesi University. Founded by Ghanaian Patrick Awuah, the university
is committed to environmental sustainability (Dias et al. 2005). From its walls
to the water running on its taps and stones, the university has embraced the best
environmental practices.
Finally, The Earth Institute at Columbia University strives to mobilize education,
public policy, and the sciences for achieving a sustainable Earth. Through the