Digital transformation towards sustainability in higher education: state-of-the-art and future research insights [Scholarly Article - Environment, Development and Sustainability, January 2023]

Title:

Digital transformation towards sustainability in higher education: state-of-the-art and future research insights

 

Authors:

Laís Viera Trevisan, João Henrique Paulino Pires Eustachio, Bárbara Galleli Dias, Walter Leal Filho & Eugênio Ávila Pedrozo

 

Published:

Environment, Development and Sustainability, 5 January 2023

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-022-02874-7

Abstract:

The technological revolution has contributed to environmental and social issues around the world. However, in the context of higher education institutions (HEIs) – key stakeholders for sustainable development - there is a theoretical gap regarding systematic reviews on the topic. In order to address this need, this study explores how digital transformation (DT) can contribute to sustainability in HEIs by identifying the general state of the art, the theoretical perspectives in the field, and future research insights. A multi-methods approach was adopted, which consisted of a quantitative bibliometric review and a qualitative content analysis. Consistent with this approach, the Scopus database was used for the bibliometric analysis of 672 publications, which was conducted with the support of VOSviewer software. Subsequently, a content analysis of 72 publications was carried out using the software ATLAS.ti and Zotero. The findings suggest three areas of current research: ensuring sustainability competencies through DT, smart and sustainable campus approaches, and theorisation of sustainability in higher education through DT. The theoretical perspectives of the field were divided and discussed into seven main clusters. Lastly, five research lines for further studies on DT towards sustainability were identified. This study has both theoretical and practical implications since it may be the first literature review on this subject, providing theoretical insights to the academic community, guiding sustainability and digital practices in HEIs - through the identification of tools, approaches, and strategies - and then supporting the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

 

CHILE - Green buildings in Chilean public higher education: a trend or a must-have in university strategic guidelines? [Scholarly Article - International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, July 2022]

Title:

Green buildings in Chilean public higher education: a trend or a must-have in university strategic guidelines?

 

Authors:

Claudia Mac-lean, GAIA Antarctic Research Centre, University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile

Pablo Núñez-Cárdenas, Horticulture & Floriculture Centre, Institute of Patagonia, University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile

Bárbara Rodríguez, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

&

Cristian Aldea, GAIA Antarctic Research Centre, University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile; Department of Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile

 

Published:

International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 3 July 2022

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13504509.2022.2095452?journalCode=tsdw20

 

Abstract:

Green buildings have gained increasing relevance and market share in recent decades. Also, higher education institutions are progressively incorporating the conceptualisation of sustainable development by greening campuses. Thus, given the construction sector relevance in climate change mitigation and the role universities have to play as models for society, the purpose of the present paper is twofold. First, the authors develop a baseline study to determine the extent to which green buildings’ features and certifications are being incorporated in public Chilean higher education institutions, as a first of its kind effort in the higher education sector in Chile. Second, the authors explore the opportunities that can support the advancement of campus greening through green buildings deployment on university campuses in Chile. This study follows a qualitative strategy approach in the form of a survey design based on the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking that was administered through an online questionnaire to representatives who hold the position of Sustainability or Infrastructure Heads in public universities, which are united in the Chilean State Universities Consortium. The main findings suggest a general maturation process of green building features´ incorporation on campuses at Chilean public higher education institutions in early or transitional stages. The leading indicators relate to open space, pedestrian paths, and efficient appliances, whereas the reported performance is lower with respect to sustainability budget, zero emission vehicles, and greenhouse gas emission reduction programmes. The opportunities identified for promoting the implementation of green buildings relate to three entrenched dimensions: research, promotion, and public policy.

Course offered by The University of Queensland (UQx) via edX: Tropical coastal ecosystems

Title of self-paced course:  

Tropical coastal ecosystem  

 

Offered by: 

The University of Queensland (UQx) via edX   

 

Focus: 

Take the challenge and understand problems and solutions to managing tropical coastal ecosystems.  

 

Level:

Introductory 

 

Duration:  

Approximately 9 weeks to complete

[4-5 hours per week]

 

Prerequisites:

High school science recommended

 

Cost:  

Enroll for free    

 

For more information:  

https://www.edx.org/course/tropical-coastal-ecosystems

 

Banana paper could save East Africa’s potatoes from devastating worms [The Conversation, May 2022]

Title:

Banana paper could save East Africa’s potatoes from devastating worms 

 

Authors:

Danny Coyne 

Soil Health Scientist, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)  

&

Solveig Haukeland 

General nematologist, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

 

Published:

The Conversation, 19 May 2022

https://theconversation.com/banana-paper-could-save-east-africas-potatoes-from-devastating-worms-182524

 

From the article:

Due to the magnitude of the damage that the nematodes cause to potato production, strict quarantine regulations have been implemented across many parts of the world to contain and restrict their further spread.  But we may have found a solution: banana paper.

University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK - University celebrates sustainability and research league table success

Title:

University celebrates sustainability and research league table success

Published:

University of Aberdeen, 28 April 2022

 https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/15969/

 

From the news article:

"The University of Aberdeen's expertise in environmental research and its positive impact on society has been highlighted in two newly published and influential league tables."

 

Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore - SUTD sets aside $10 million for sustainability research over next few years

Title:

SUTD sets aside $10 million for sustainability research over next few years

Published:

Singapore University of Technology and Design, 21 February 2022

https://www.sutd.edu.sg/About/happenings/News/2022/2/SUTD-sets-10-million-sustainability-research

 

From the article:

The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) will be committing $10 million over the next three to five years to research and education in sustainability, said its president. 

AUSTRALIA - Australian Strategy for International Education 2021‑2030

Title:

Australian Strategy for International Education 2021-2030 

Published:

Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government, 2021

https://www.dese.gov.au/australian-strategy-international-education-2021-2030

 

From the website:

The Australian Strategy for International Education 2021‑2030 charts a path to sustainable growth for Australia’s international education sector, with a focus on diversification, meeting national skills needs, students at the centre and global competitiveness.

 

ALSO SEE

 

Launch of the Australian Strategy for International Education 2021-2030 (Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government, 26 November 2021)

North East Forestry University, China & University of Bath, United Kingdom - Phosphorescent material inspired by ‘glow in the dark’ wood

Title:

Phosphorescent material inspired by ‘glow in the dark’ wood 

 

Published:

University of Bath [Press release], 23 August 2021 [updated 25 August 2021]

https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/phosphorescent-material-inspired-by-glow-in-the-dark-wood/

 

From the press release:

* Researchers have developed a new phosphorescent material from lignin, a major component of wood. 

* An international team of researchers led by North East Forestry University (China) and the University of Bath (UK) investigated the natural phosphorescent properties of lignin, a major component of wood.

Also see the team's research published in Cell Reports: Physical Science.

The 2021 GlobeScan / SustainAbility Leaders Survey / Report & Webinar (8 September 2021)

Title:

The 2021 GlobeScan / SustainAbility Leaders Survey / Report & Webinar  

Published:

GlobaScan, 2021

https://globescan.com/2021-sustainability-leaders-report/

From the GlobeScan website:

Findings from a new report 2021 Sustainability Leaders by GlobeScan and The SustainAbility Institute by ERM show sustainability experts believe the global pandemic will help draw attention to environmental challenges—but will also deepen socio-economic challenges such as poverty and inequality.  

 

The GlobeScan / SustainAbility Leaders Survey has tracked global expert opinions on the evolution of the sustainability agenda since 1997. The 25th edition of this report has taken place against the unprecedented backdrop of the pandemic, with nearly 700 sustainability experts from over 70 countries reflecting on its implications for the sustainable development agenda.  

Webinar (Americas / EMEA):

Date: 8 September 2021

Time: 11am New York / 4pm London

On September 8, we will host two localised webinars to discuss the results of The 2021 Sustainability Leaders Survey.  

Join us to hear from global thought leaders who will share their insights on this year’s survey findings and answer your questions on the current and future state of sustainability leadership.

The Mechanical and Binding Potentials of Fresh Cow Dung (FCD) for Gravel Roads Construction [Scholarly Article - East African Journal of Engineering, June 2021]

Title:

The Mechanical and Binding Potentials of Fresh Cow Dung (FCD) for Gravel Roads Construction 

 

Authors:

Anthony Mugendi Nyagah, University of Nairobi 

Sixtus Kinyua Mwea, PhD University of Nairobi 

Francis John Gichaga, PhD University of Nairobi

 

Published:

East African Journal of Engineering (EANSO), 18 June 2021

https://journals.eanso.org/index.php/eaje/article/view/350

 

Abstract:

Among the developing nations, unpaved (gravel and earth) roads form a disproportionately large percentage of the road network when compared to the paved roads. For instance, in Kenya earth roads account for 47% of the road network, while the gravel roads account for about 38%. The most significant problem associated with gravel and earth roads is dust emission, which contributes to the deterioration of the road surface. In addition, the dust causes road safety, human health and the environmental quality issues. In order to minimize dust emission dust suppressants are applied annually. Dust suppressants, for example, Magnesium or Calcium Chlorides solutions are expensive and hence not widely used in developing countries like Kenya. In many Kenyan rural homes and in most African countries, fresh cow dung (FCD) is used as dust suppressants in madhouses. Therefore, this study seeks to explore the mechanical and binding potentials of FCD for gravel roads construction as a dust suppressant, improvement of mechanical and resilience properties of lateritic soils for gravel roads construction. The effect of FCD on gravel soils was determined at various percentages (0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12%) by weight. The Index properties, compaction properties, plasticity requirements and bearing strengths {Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR)} were determined. The results show that Maximum Dry Density (MDD) reduced while the Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) increased with the increase in dosages of FCD. The UCS test results were 257 kN/m2 (0%), 257 kN/m2 (3%), 300 kN/m2 (6%), 267 kN/m2 (9%) and 213 kN/m2 (12%) while, the CBR test results were 21%, 39%, 54%, 34%, and 24% for 0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12%. The research concludes that FCD at 6% by weight can be used for mechanical stabilization of gravel soils for road construction. FCD is cheaper, readily available, sustainable and environmentally friendly. This will go a long way in the economic development of low and middle-income countries.