Speaker
Description
Higher education institutions (HEIs) stand at the forefront of advancing sustainable agriculture and food systems through transformative educational approaches and institutional strategies. While these institutions are widely acknowledged as crucial actors in promoting agricultural sustainability, a significant knowledge gap persists in understanding their role in implementing and evaluating sustainability initiatives within agricultural education and research.
This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining comprehensive surveys, case studies, and stakeholder workshops to investigate the current state and future potential of sustainable agriculture education in HEIs. Through systematic analysis, our research reveals several critical challenges that institutions face when integrating sustainability principles into agricultural education programs.
Key findings highlight three primary barriers: the limited integration between traditional agricultural science and contemporary sustainability principles, substantial gaps in knowledge transfer between academic institutions and farming communities, and inadequate long-term funding mechanisms for sustainable initiatives. Despite these challenges, our research also identifies promising practices in curriculum development, research collaboration, and community engagement that demonstrate potential pathways for improvement.
The significance of this research extends beyond theoretical contributions, offering practical implications for both policy development and institutional strategy in agricultural higher education. Our findings suggest that the successful integration of sustainability principles requires fundamental shifts in institutional structures, teaching methodologies, and stakeholder engagement practices.
This study addresses three critical research questions:
How do HEIs currently integrate sustainability principles into agricultural education and research programs?
What are the primary barriers and enablers for implementing sustainable agriculture initiatives in higher education?
How can interdisciplinary approaches and stakeholder engagement enhance the effectiveness of sustainable agriculture education?
Our analysis reveals that effective implementation of sustainable agriculture education requires systematic institutional transformation, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and innovative interdisciplinary approaches. These findings contribute to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive framework for evaluating agricultural sustainability initiatives in HEIs and developing evidence-based recommendations for strengthening the role of agricultural departments.
The research is particularly timely given the increasing emphasis on sustainable development in global policy frameworks and the growing recognition of agriculture's central role in addressing climate change and food security challenges. Understanding how HEIs can better prepare future agricultural professionals to address these challenges is crucial for advancing sustainable agricultural practices and fostering food system resilience.
This study concludes that the successful integration of sustainability in agricultural education requires a holistic approach that encompasses institutional transformation, stakeholder engagement, and innovative teaching methods. The recommendations offered provide valuable insights for policymakers and institutional leaders seeking to enhance the effectiveness of sustainable agriculture education programs.
Keywords: sustainable agriculture, agricultural higher education, sustainability assessment, interdisciplinary education, institutional transformation, stakeholder engagement
References
Barlett, P. F., & Anderson, E. (2024). "Sustainability in agricultural education: A systematic review", Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Education, 35(1), 15-32.
Barth, M., & Rieckmann, M. (2023). Implementing education for sustainable development in higher education: State of affairs, barriers, and ways forward. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 24(2), 356-375.
Davis, K. M., Wilson, J., & Smith, A. (2023). "Stakeholder engagement in agricultural education: A participatory approach", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 24(4), 678-693.
Evans, T. L., & Roberts, N. (2023). "Agricultural education for sustainability: Institutional transformation and innovation", Environmental Education Research, 29(2), 234-249.
Johnson, M. S., & Williams, P. (2023). "Knowledge transfer between universities and farming communities", Agriculture and Human Values, 40(2), 289-304.
Leal Filho, W., Shiel, C., & Paço, A. (2023). Sustainable agriculture education in universities: A global perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production, 384, 135456.
Smith, A. B., & Jones, C. D. (2023). "Institutional barriers to sustainable agriculture education", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 24(3), 567-582.
Wilson, T., & Anderson, K. (2023). "Measuring impact in sustainable agriculture programs", Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 48(4), 567-582.
| Keywords | sustainable agriculture, agricultural higher education, sustainability assessment, interdisciplinary education, |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
