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Circular economy education: student feedback from five higher education institutions in the Asia Pacific

Olivia Ho,U. Iyer-Raniga,K. Sylva,S. Sivapalan,Sunil M. Dissanayaka,Chinara Sadykova

Published 2024 in International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education

ABSTRACT

Purpose The integration of circular economy (CE) into higher education programmes is a crucial step to facilitate a smooth transition towards circularity. Although existing studies highlight the lack of CE awareness as a primary barrier to achieving circularity, there is still limited research investigating the enhancement of CE understanding after completing CE-related training or courses. To address this gap, this study aims to examine how CE education transforms students’ mindsets to support the strategic application of CE principles and strategies in personal and professional activities. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was designed and distributed to students attending CE courses at five universities located in five countries. Ethics approval for this research project was obtained from University 3 as the lead of the research project. Out of a total of 138 students enrolled in these courses, 109 responses were collected. Findings The research findings demonstrate that CE education enhances students’ awareness of CE definitions, principles and strategies through developing their own descriptions of CE concepts and interpretation into personal and professional activities, showcasing practical circular applications. Practical implications This paper presents implications for programme coordinators, subject coordinators and lecturers/facilitators at universities/higher educational institutions to consider when designing a course or training workshop related to CE within a particular programme or discipline. Originality/value This study identifies invaluable insights of CE education to enhance students understanding and practical applications of circularity in their personal and professional activities. The research findings can be used for crafting and delivering CE courses in different universities. This study can be regarded as guidance to develop a CE curriculum for higher education nurturing a deep understanding of CE concepts while aligning with the industry demands for CE professionals.

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