Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Higher Education

Abstract

Criticisms abound regarding the quality and relevance of higher education. Addressing these criticisms requires innovative approaches including Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). This chapter examines the contribution of ESD to the quality and relevance of higher education. The chapter explains the concepts of quality, relevance, sustainable development, and education for sustainable development in higher education. Applying the concepts of systems theory and transformative learning, the chapter explores the contribution of ESD to improvement of higher education through strategies that empower learners with higher order skills. Many of the ESD learning outcomes and competences could translate into success in the lives of graduates in the workplace. The challenges to the adoption of ESD in higher education are also discussed.