Symposium on Sustainability in the Curriculum and Operations of Universities in Brazil

Sustainability in the curriculum and operations of universities in Brazil is a growing trend, reflecting the global emphasis on addressing environmental challenges. Many universities offer degrees specifically focused on sustainability, such as environmental science, sustainable
development, and renewable energy. Also, sustainability topics are integrated into a variety of disciplines, from engineering and architecture to business and social sciences. Moreover, many universities have established research centers dedicated to sustainability, focusing on issues like climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable urban planning. As a growing trend, student groups often lead sustainability initiatives on campus, organising events, workshops, and awareness campaigns. From the operations side, many universities are investing in energy-efficient buildings and renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines. Comprehensive recycling programmes and waste reduction strategies are being implemented to minimize the environmental footprint of universities. There are also other measures which include rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation systems, and water recycling.

There is a perceived need for events which may cater for in-depth discussions about how universities in Brazil are implementing sustainability in their curriculum and operations. It is against this background that the “Symposium on Sustainability in the Curriculum and Operations of Universities in Brazil” is being organised. The Symposium aims to provide a platform for researchers and educators engaged with sustainability education and operations, to exchange their knowledge and perspectives through a face-to-face event to be held at the Federal University of Uberlândia, in Brazil.

Flyer of the event

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Aims

• To provide interested actors from Brazilian universities with an opportunity to present their work in the field of sustainable curriculum and operations;
• To facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences and good practices regarding the integration of sustainability into university curricula and operations, fostering collaborative learning;
• To discuss innovative approaches and initiatives related to sustainability in higher education institutions, and enhance awareness among the academic community (i.e., faculty, students, and administrative staff);
• To explore projects, case studies and methodological approaches that have been working on the implementation of sustainability in the curriculum and campus operations;
• To foster partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration, and create synergies between universities and other educational institutions, NGOs, government agencies, and all interested stakeholders to support and enhance sustainability initiatives the curriculum and operations of universities.

Some key topics

• The list of major key topics and sub-themes to be covered by Symposium includes but is not limited to:
  • Integration of sustainability in university curricula
    –    Developing sustainability-focused degree programs
    –    Embedding sustainability topics across various disciplines
    –    Innovative teaching methods for sustainability education and lifelong learning
  • Sustainable Campus Operations
    –    Energy-efficient buildings and infrastructure
    –    Renewable energy implementation (i.e., solar panels, wind turbines, biomass)
    –    Recycling and waste reduction strategies
    –    Water conservation and recycling
    –    Rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems
  • Student Engagement and Leadership in Sustainability
    –    Role of student groups in promoting sustainability initiatives on campus
    –    Workshops, events, and awareness campaigns
  • Climate Action and Climate Change Education
    –    Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies on campus
    –    Climate Change Education and interdisciplinary training opportunities
    –    Development of campus-wide resilience and strategic plans
  • Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing Sustainability
    –    Funding and resource allocation for sustainability initiatives
    –    Policies and frameworks supporting sustainability in higher education
    –    Sustainability Leadership and Governance in Universities
    –    Stakeholder engagement
    –    Interdisciplinary research and innovation practices
    –    Collaboration between universities and external partners
  • Universities promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability agendas
    –    Aligning university operations and curricula with the SDGs
    –    Tracking and reporting progress towards sustainability goals

Format of the symposium

• Plenary presentations and discussions: key speakers from academia and industry,  to provide a multi-perspective view on the challenges and solutions associated with  the implementation of sustainable development in the curriculum and operations of universities in Brazil
• Parallel sessions: presentations on innovative teaching and operational programmes

This symposium will provide a valuable platform for stakeholders to converge, exchange ideas, and pave the way for new initiatives that promote the integration of sustainable development issues in the curriculum and operations of universities in Brazil.

Profile of participants

The Symposium will be of special interest to researchers, educators and communication specialists working in the field of sustainable education and operations in Brazilian universities.

How to attend the symposium

There are two possibilities for attending the symposium:

• 1.    By only attending the symposium (without a paper presentation)
• 2.    By presenting a paper: Researchers may submit any complete, original, and unpublished research papers, either conceptual or empirical. The Turnitin similarity index must be below 20%.

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Important note on submission of abstracts

The earlier submission of abstracts is strongly encouraged. The deadline for submissions of abstracts should not be regarded as the date the abstracts are due. Rather, it is the last possible day. Therefore, authors who submit their abstracts at a later stage should be mindful of the fact that presentation slots may be taken, and only poster presentations may be possible. Please submit your abstract as soon as you can, to avoid possible problems.

Continuing professional development
This event is part of the Continuing Professional Development Programme on Sustainable Development, undertaken by the European School of Sustainability Science and Research (ESSSR) and Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP). An official certificate of participation, useful for professional development purposes and to be shown to employers, will be issued to participants, with the equivalent of 20 hours, including attendance to the event and preparation time.

Fees

In other to offset the costs with staff time, organisation, and preparation, book production and follow-up, a registration fee of R$ 400,00 (plus taxes) will be charged per delegate.  The fees entail the coffee breaks and lunch breaks during the 2 days. For cancellations made up to 2 months before the event, a full refund -minus handling charges- will be possible. For registrations up to 30 days before the event, a 50% refund-minus bank charges- is possible. For cancellations within
less than 30 days, no refunds are possible. The details about the payment will be sent to the participants.

Publication opportunity

As an output and long-term documentation of the event, selected papers will be published in the book “Sustainability in the Curriculum and Operations of Universities”, which will follow on the success of the “Encyclopedia of Sustainability in Higher Education” which is a “living edition” and the“Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals”, the world’s largest editorial project on sustainable development ever undertaken. The book will be produced as part of theWorld Sustainability Series,   published  by Springer Nature, which is fully indexed. All papers are peer-reviewed and publications in the book series have been officially counting for promotion and tenure purposes over the years.

Deadlines

Submissions
Deadline for submission of abstracts: 30 October 2024
Deadline for submission of papers: 30 March 2025
These deadlines are important, so that the book can be produced as soon as possible following the event.

Registration
Deadline for early bird registrations: 30th November 2024
Deadline for late registrations: 31 January 2025

How to submit an abstract

To participate, participants need to submit an abstract of 200 to 300 words, along with the authors’ names and full contact details before 10th September 2024. Abstracts should be submitted to: info (at) iccip (dot) net
The details will be discussed with the selected authors.

Please see below a sample abstract.

Some developments on education for sustainable development in higher education institutions
Walter Leal (BSc, PhD, DSc, DPhil, DEd, DLitt, FSB, FRGS, FLS)
European School of Sustainability Science and Research
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
Ulmenliet 20
D-21033 Hamburg
Germany
esssr@ ls.haw-hamburg.de

Abstract
The implementation of sustainable development in higher education is a global trend. Yet, the intensity and the depth with which higher education institutions are taking on the challenge of sustainability, significantly differs. This paper presents a global analysis about how higher education institutions are including sustainability issues in the different areas (e.g. teaching, research, outreach and institutional management) and describes the progress made in this field during the last 10 years. A special emphasis is given to the problems and barriers which prevent developments in respect of the integration of sustainability issues in higher education. Finally, some concrete steps which may be undertaken in order to allow universities to integrate sustainable development in their activities but also in regional development, are outlined. This paper will be useful to anyone interested in the different levels of emphasis given to sustainable development at higher education institutions across the world.

About the organisers

The Symposium is being organised by the Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil  and the Research and Transfer Centre “Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management” at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, in Germany. The Symposium is also organised by theInter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme and  GERBRAS-SCIENCENET, a forum for cooperation between Brazilian and German higher education and research organisations interested in the development of joint initiatives in science and technology, with a particular focus on sustainability.

Federal University of Uberlândia is represented by the School of Management and Business of the Federal University of Uberlândia (FAGEN-UFU), the Sustainable Regional Development Research Group (GPDRS-UFU), and the Applied Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

Partners
Cátedra Jean Monnet, da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Brazil: https://www.globalcrossings.com.br

Scientific committee

Chairpersons

• Prof. Dr. Walter Leal (BSc, PhD, DSc, DPhil, DL, DLitt), Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, HAW Hamburg and RCE Hamburg and Region, Germany
• Prof. Dr. Jaluza Maria Lima Silva Borsatto, School of Management and Business of the Federal University of Uberlândia (FAGEN-UFU), Brazil

Scientific Committee

• Prof. Dr. Jaluza Maria Lima Silva Borsatto, FAGEN-UFU, Brazil
• Prof. Dr. Carla Bonato Marcolin, FAGEN-UFU, Brazil
• Prof. Dr. Aracy Alves Araújo, FAGEN-UFU
• Prof. Dr. Miriam Tiemi Takimura Oliveira, FAGEN-UFU, Brazil
• Prof. Dr. Claudia Regina de Oliveira Loureiro, FADIR-UFU, Brazil
• Prof. Dr. Catarine Palmieri Pitangui Tizziotti, FAGEN-UFU
• Prof. Dr. Barbara Galelli, UFPR, Brazil
• Prof. Dr. Fernando Caixeta Lisboa, IFTM, Brazil
• Prof. Dr. Sergio Castro Gomes, Universidade da Amazônia, Brazil
• Prof. Dr. Simone Vasconcelos Ribeiro Galina, USP, Brazil
• Dr. Amanda Lange Salvia, Hamburg University of Applie Sciences, Germany
• Dr. Joao Eustachio, Hamburg University of Applie Sciences, Germany

Contact

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Life Sciences
German-Brazilian Science and Technology Network
Research and Transfer Centre „Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management“
Ulmenliet 20
21033 Hamburg, Germany
german-bras-net (at) ls.haw-hamburg (dot) de 

School of Management and Business of the
Federal University of Uberlândia (FAGEN-UFU)
Brazil
Prof. Dr. Jaluza Maria Lima Silva Borsatto
jaluza.silva (at) ufu (dot) br