KTH's Sustainability Objectives in Education
KTH education has an indirect impact on sustainable development through the knowledge and attitudes that our students acquire after completing their education. Students at all levels therefore need to gain knowledge and tools to be able to drive the transition to a sustainable society.
According to the Higher Education Act, "In their operations, higher education institutions shall promote sustainable development that ensures that current and future generations are assured of a healthy and good environment, economic and social welfare and justice" (1:5). The Higher Education Ordinance contains overarching learning objectives established by the government that relate to the environment and sustainable development. KTH has its own university-wide sustainability objectives and climate objective for the period 2021-2045. For the overall objectives, there are developed sub-targets and a university-wide action plan.
Sustainability objective and action plan for education 2021-2025
KTH's previous sustainability objecitve (2016-2020) for education
- KTH shall increase the knowledge and commitment of all employees and students in issues regarding sustainable development.
- Sustainable development shall be integrated into all educational programmes at all levels, so that students can contribute to sustainable societal development after graduation.
Sustainable development shall be integrated into all of KTH's programmes, including postgraduate education. There shall also be educational programmes at all levels that focus on sustainability issues. In all architecture and engineering programmes, the opportunity for a sustainability profile the education shall be available by means of elective courses, or the opportunity to choose a master's programme or path with sustainability focus. Linked to the environmental management system, the schools shall establish action programmes on how to strengthen the integration of sustainable development in the educational programmes. If possible, this can take place via integration with programme development plans. In key assignments and studies with links to education, sustainable development shall be integrated into the work. An educational course in Learning for Sustainable Development shall be given at least once per year. Seminars and networking meetings shall be arranged for teaching staff. KTH shall provide employees and students with knowledge and awareness about sustainable development in their daily work and study life. KTH shall offer both broad general educational courses for employees as well as specific educational courses where the need arises, such as in chemicals management, for example. Sustainable development shall be included in future quality assessments.
KTH's work on integrating sustainable development into education
In 2012, an evaluation of the achievement of sustainability objectives in the Master of Science in Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering and Architecture programs at KTH was carried out. The programs' self-assessments served as a basis for discussions during school visits with all school managements in 2013, which resulted in each school developing action programs for program development in the environment and sustainable development in 2013 and 2014. In 2015, a follow-up was carried out to map the achievement of the national goals, KTH's environmental objectives and the goals in KTH's development plan 2013-2016 in the area of sustainable development in the Master of Science in Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering and Architecture programs at KTH. Since 2016, KTH has had university-wide sustainability objecitves for education.
In addition to integrating sustainable development into the education programs, KTH offers a number of education programs for employees in the area of environment and sustainability. For example, there are a web-based training on sustainable development at KTH for all employees, and specialized training in areas such as chemical handling and the higher education teaching course Learning for Sustainable Development .
Follow-up of previous sustainability objective
Follow-up of the previous sustainability objective for education (2016-2020) is summarized in the report (in Swedish only) "KTH's sustainability goals for education. Follow-up of the target period 2016-2020" .
The evaluation was based on: existing indicators; alumni and mid-year surveys; school reports; program analyses, educational plans and syllabi for the educational programs; interviews with doctoral program managers; and (at the time) a newly developed CDIO standard for sustainable development. The overall conclusion from the evaluation was that KTH's sustainability objective for education for the period 2016-2020 had been partially achieved. It was clear that positive development had occurred, while there was continued development need in several areas.
Responsible for follow-up: KTH Sustainability Office, KTH's schools