Sustainable development and sustainability in engineering education in Nigeria

Abstract

Following the United Nation’s pronouncement of 2005-2014 as the Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (DESD), education and particularly Higher Education was earmarked as the most convenient and appropriate vehicle for advancing training and awareness for sustainability and sustainable development. This study reviewed articles to investigate the level of awareness about ESD among engineering stakeholders in Nigeria and also to investigate the various approaches that could be used to integrate Sustainability in Engineering Education curriculum in Nigeria. The study employed a systematic review on Sustainable Development and Sustainability in Engineering Education in Nigeria. Articles on Sustainability Education and Sustainability in Engineering were analyzed using inductive content analysis. The review showed that, there is lack of awareness about ESD even among engineering stakeholders; and approaches such as: modular/ Bolt-in, Project Based Learning (PBL), Integrative Learning, Problem Project Based Learning (PPBL), amongst others were found out to be used by scholars in other parts of the world for incorporating sustainability in their Engineering Education programs. It could be a Stand-alone or an Integrated course. The researcher therefore suggests the use of any of these approaches to institutions and faculties planning to integrate sustainability in their programs. This study recommends that; for sustainable education to yield a meaningful result, Government should create awareness about the need for sustainability in the country. This can be done through Sustainability Education intervention and implementation of Sustainability Policies.