The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped higher education, making remote learning the new norm. This shift offers a unique chance to weave sustainable business practices into university curricula. Our latest study dives into how Malaysian university students want to learn about sustainable development, using a creative and structured method known as concept mapping.

Here’s how it worked: We asked students to brainstorm their ideas on learning about sustainability, then organised these ideas into clusters. Through a series of analyses, we identified four key themes: Content to Teach, External Collaboration, Lifestyle, and Self-learning. Each theme highlights different aspects of how students envision their learning experience, from the subjects they want covered to the methods of teaching and assessment.

Our findings suggest several ways to enhance sustainability education. First, integrating hands-on experiences like real-world projects and field trips into the curriculum can make learning more dynamic. Courses should address various sustainability dimensions—environmental, social, and economic—to provide a well-rounded perspective.

Engaging students through community service projects, sustainability workshops, and eco-clubs can foster a deeper connection to these issues. Partnerships with businesses, NGOs, and government agencies can also offer practical insights and networking opportunities that are invaluable for students' future careers.

We also found that traditional assessments might not fully capture the impact of sustainability education. Exploring alternative assessment methods, such as reflective journals and community projects linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, could provide a better measure of student progress.

Finally, supporting student-led sustainability initiatives can drive positive change within the campus community. Empowering students to spearhead projects and activities can effectively tackle implementation challenges and boost overall engagement.

In summary, our study underscores the need to rethink and enrich sustainability education. By incorporating hands-on learning, fostering student involvement, building external partnerships, and exploring innovative assessments, we can create a more engaging and impactful educational experience for our students. 

Dr Chuah Cindy
Sunway Business School
Email: @email

Dr Stephen Thomas Homer
Sunway Business School
Email: @email

Dr Eugene Poon Wai Chuen
Sunway Business School
Email: @email