Directions Towards Sustainability Through Higher Education

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to contribute to associating higher education in design towards meeting the challenge of global sustainability [1]. Ideas from several models and from within several disciplines as design are integrated to construct a framework through the challenges can be examined and then transacted into learning outcomes, expressed as graduate attributes. The focus of design education for global sustainability has been on encouraging consumers to modify patterns of resource consumption and waste management. To actualize this potential requires that higher education curricula in design offer experiences, which develop graduate attributes of self-efficacy, capacity for effective advocacy and interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as raise awareness of social and moral responsibilities associated with professional design practice It is important to consider the practicality of developing programs of study, which can prepare graduates with the necessary knowledge and values. Higher education in design must develop the capacity in graduates to prioritize actions after balancing all the social, environmental and economic costs and benefits [2]. So, the curriculum in design should include experiences, which lead to a greater awareness of social and moral responsibilities. Especially, in a larger self-awareness of personal value systems and a willingness to revise them is required to prepare design graduates for work towards sustainability.