Suan Dusit University (SDU), as a leading higher education institution dedicated to human development for happiness and sustainability, recognizes that cultivating Sustainability Literacy is an essential foundation for education in the 21st century. Students must not only understand the principles of sustainable development but also be able to think critically, analyze, and apply such principles to real-world challenges with environmental, social, and economic consciousness.
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To achieve this vision, Suan Dusit University has systematically integrated the philosophy of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into its teaching and learning frameworks across all levels of education. This integration is most evident in the General Education Curriculum (Revised 2021), designed in alignment with the Thai Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (TQF). The curriculum aims to develop comprehensive Sustainability Competenceamong learners, ensuring that graduates possess both sustainability awareness and the capacity to act for positive change.
Within Section 4 of the curriculum, titled “Expected Learning Outcomes, Educational Strategies, and Assessment Methods,” the programme explicitly outlines learning outcomes that align with the five domains of the TQF—ethics, knowledge, cognitive skills, interpersonal and responsibility skills, and analytical and communication skills. These outcomes are intentionally mapped to promote SDG Integration within the learning process, ensuring that sustainability concepts are embedded into the overall Learning Outcomes framework and can be measured, assessed, and improved continuously.
In terms of educational strategies, SDU emphasizes Active Learning as a core approach to fostering sustainability awareness. Students are engaged through Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Project-Based Learning (PjBL), and Experiential Learning, allowing them to confront real-world sustainability challenges. This approach encourages not only theoretical understanding but also creative thinking and practical innovation for sustainable living.
Regarding Assessment for Sustainability, the curriculum specifies diverse methods to evaluate Learning Outcomes Indicators in alignment with each TQF domain. These include written examinations, project assessments, presentations, and reflective learning activities designed to measure students’ Sustainability Literacy—their understanding, analytical capacity, and ability to apply sustainable thinking in real-life contexts.
Courses such as “Lifestyle for Circular Economy,” “Food for Life,” and “Thai and Global Citizens” exemplify this integration. Each course includes clearly defined Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) that enhance Sustainability Awareness and Action Competence. Students are assessed through projects and group activities on topics such as the Circular Economy, Responsible Consumption, and Global Citizenship, and the results are compiled into the university’s annual General Education Learning Outcomes Report. This report serves as institutional evidence of how SDU measures and monitors students’ Sustainability Literacy across disciplines.
Beyond course-level assessments, SDU conducts an institutional Learning Outcomes Assessment Survey, which collects both quantitative and qualitative data on students’ understanding of the SDGs and sustainability-related concepts in daily life. The findings are used to continuously refine curriculum design and improve the effectiveness of sustainability-oriented teaching and learning. This process reflects the university’s ongoing transition toward a Sustainability-Oriented Education System that develops informed, capable, and responsible citizens for the future.
Suan Dusit University thus serves as a model for higher education institutions implementing a structured Sustainability Literacy Assessment Framework under the TQF. This framework spans Course Level, Programme Level, and Institutional Level assessments, ensuring coherence between curriculum design, teaching practices, and learning outcomes. The ultimate goal is to produce graduates who not only possess academic knowledge but also demonstrate ethical responsibility, sustainability competence, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their professional and personal lives.
🔗 Publicly Available Evidence
- Suan Dusit University. (2021). General Education Curriculum (Revised 2021).
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