Higher education institutions have an essential role in sustainability.They are key agents in the education of future leaders that will contribute to the successful United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)im...Higher education institutions have an essential role in sustainability.They are key agents in the education of future leaders that will contribute to the successful United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)imple-mentation.The geography of SDGs this implementation is very heterogeneous,but it is clear that higher education institutions contribute decisively to creating a mindset that facilitates the dissemination of SDGs principle.This perspective paper analyses the impacts of higher education on sustainability and the challenges and barriers as-sociated with this process.Higher education contributes decisively to the SDGs implementation,but especially to Goal 1(end poverty in all its forms everywhere),Goal 3(ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages),Goal 5(gender equality),Goal 8(decent work and economic growth),Goal 12(responsible consumption and production),Goal 13(climate change)and Goal 16(peace,justice and strong institutions).As a transfor-mational agent,the higher education sector has a tremendous impact on students’habit and contribution to a prosperous society.However,to establish the required change in education,sustainability principles need to be at the heart of higher institutions strategy(e.g.,curricula,modus operandi)and is key to be incorporated in the organisational culture.Only by leading by example,the external influence in the society will be possible(e.g.,implementing SDGs key aspects such as gender quality,reduce waste reduction and energy consumption).For this to be a reality,different communication methods with students are needed(e.g.,different student academic levels).Nevertheless,critical challenges need to be tackled in the institutions inside and outside the institution environment,such as incorporating sustainability principles,political environment and stakeholders’interest.展开更多
In the education sector,blockchain is currently at the end of the peak of inflated expectations in Gartner’s Hype Cycle.Thus,it is crucial to understand whether this technology meets the expectations of Higher Educat...In the education sector,blockchain is currently at the end of the peak of inflated expectations in Gartner’s Hype Cycle.Thus,it is crucial to understand whether this technology meets the expectations of Higher Education Institutions(HEIs).We go on an expedition to identify blockchain application scenarios and its potential for HEI administration-the universities are digitalized to just 23.3%.Current information systems research addresses classifications of blockchain-based projects(application level)rather than their technical realization(protocol level).Thus,when evaluating blockchain application scenarios in HEI administration,we intensively consider the technical side of blockchain-based projects.We perform a threestep approach:(1)systematic literature review,(2)qualitative exploratory semi-structured interviews to sup-plement information on market-ready solutions,and(3)an evaluation of the potential of the blockchain-based projects identified,based on HEI administration requirements.We find that the leading blockchain application scenarios are credential verification and record-sharing.At the protocol level,we obtain equivocal results regarding the technical realization of projects,e.g.,their underlying blockchain types and storage models.At the application level,when discussing the potential of different projects,we find that most of them address adaptability,complexity decomposition,and cost reduction requirements between HEIs;interest diversity and stakeholder collaboration between HEIs and business actors;privacy and trust between HEIs and students.展开更多
This paper is based on a study of three Confucius Institutes in Canada.The research aims to explore the nature of operations at Confucius Institutes,ranging from the selection of partnering Chinese universities,to the...This paper is based on a study of three Confucius Institutes in Canada.The research aims to explore the nature of operations at Confucius Institutes,ranging from the selection of partnering Chinese universities,to the program planning at each individual site.Specifically,it focuses on the perceived impacts of the Confucius Institute partnership on the Canadian hosting institutions.Data was collected through interviews with key administrative staff from three Canadian universities.The theoretical framework of constructivism from international relations theory and concepts drawn from the literature on the internationalization of higher education were used to analyze the findings.Key issues revealed from the data include the host’s perception of Confucius Institutes as China’s cultural diplomacy and soft power strategy,the progression of partnerships between Canada and China over time,and university autonomy.展开更多
The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the influence of selected cultural and adventure initiatives on the perception and experiences of group cohesion in a multicultural higher education institution. ...The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the influence of selected cultural and adventure initiatives on the perception and experiences of group cohesion in a multicultural higher education institution. After a 3-day camp, rich qualitative data f^om students (n = 120) were gathered through focus group discussions and PowerPoint presentations. Using ATLAS.ti, four themes emerged: positive attitude and behaviour, maintaining group level, self-maintaining, and membership attraction and attachment. The findings revealed positive experiences among the participants. It is recommended that follow-up interventions should follow to ensure sustainability.展开更多
文摘Higher education institutions have an essential role in sustainability.They are key agents in the education of future leaders that will contribute to the successful United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)imple-mentation.The geography of SDGs this implementation is very heterogeneous,but it is clear that higher education institutions contribute decisively to creating a mindset that facilitates the dissemination of SDGs principle.This perspective paper analyses the impacts of higher education on sustainability and the challenges and barriers as-sociated with this process.Higher education contributes decisively to the SDGs implementation,but especially to Goal 1(end poverty in all its forms everywhere),Goal 3(ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages),Goal 5(gender equality),Goal 8(decent work and economic growth),Goal 12(responsible consumption and production),Goal 13(climate change)and Goal 16(peace,justice and strong institutions).As a transfor-mational agent,the higher education sector has a tremendous impact on students’habit and contribution to a prosperous society.However,to establish the required change in education,sustainability principles need to be at the heart of higher institutions strategy(e.g.,curricula,modus operandi)and is key to be incorporated in the organisational culture.Only by leading by example,the external influence in the society will be possible(e.g.,implementing SDGs key aspects such as gender quality,reduce waste reduction and energy consumption).For this to be a reality,different communication methods with students are needed(e.g.,different student academic levels).Nevertheless,critical challenges need to be tackled in the institutions inside and outside the institution environment,such as incorporating sustainability principles,political environment and stakeholders’interest.
基金funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research under the funding code 534800.The responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors.
文摘In the education sector,blockchain is currently at the end of the peak of inflated expectations in Gartner’s Hype Cycle.Thus,it is crucial to understand whether this technology meets the expectations of Higher Education Institutions(HEIs).We go on an expedition to identify blockchain application scenarios and its potential for HEI administration-the universities are digitalized to just 23.3%.Current information systems research addresses classifications of blockchain-based projects(application level)rather than their technical realization(protocol level).Thus,when evaluating blockchain application scenarios in HEI administration,we intensively consider the technical side of blockchain-based projects.We perform a threestep approach:(1)systematic literature review,(2)qualitative exploratory semi-structured interviews to sup-plement information on market-ready solutions,and(3)an evaluation of the potential of the blockchain-based projects identified,based on HEI administration requirements.We find that the leading blockchain application scenarios are credential verification and record-sharing.At the protocol level,we obtain equivocal results regarding the technical realization of projects,e.g.,their underlying blockchain types and storage models.At the application level,when discussing the potential of different projects,we find that most of them address adaptability,complexity decomposition,and cost reduction requirements between HEIs;interest diversity and stakeholder collaboration between HEIs and business actors;privacy and trust between HEIs and students.
文摘This paper is based on a study of three Confucius Institutes in Canada.The research aims to explore the nature of operations at Confucius Institutes,ranging from the selection of partnering Chinese universities,to the program planning at each individual site.Specifically,it focuses on the perceived impacts of the Confucius Institute partnership on the Canadian hosting institutions.Data was collected through interviews with key administrative staff from three Canadian universities.The theoretical framework of constructivism from international relations theory and concepts drawn from the literature on the internationalization of higher education were used to analyze the findings.Key issues revealed from the data include the host’s perception of Confucius Institutes as China’s cultural diplomacy and soft power strategy,the progression of partnerships between Canada and China over time,and university autonomy.
文摘The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the influence of selected cultural and adventure initiatives on the perception and experiences of group cohesion in a multicultural higher education institution. After a 3-day camp, rich qualitative data f^om students (n = 120) were gathered through focus group discussions and PowerPoint presentations. Using ATLAS.ti, four themes emerged: positive attitude and behaviour, maintaining group level, self-maintaining, and membership attraction and attachment. The findings revealed positive experiences among the participants. It is recommended that follow-up interventions should follow to ensure sustainability.