Professor George Onofrei, from ATU, delivered a presentation to members of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at ATU Donegal, focused on embedding sustainability in engineering education. This session explored how we, as educators, can better prepare our students to address global challenges through innovative teaching practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key highlights from the session included:
✅ The importance of sustainability competences: technical skills (e.g., renewable energy solutions, life cycle analysis), non-technical skills (e.g., teamwork, communication), and attitudes such as adaptability and systems thinking.
✅ Barriers to integration: Limited resources, curriculum constraints, and the need for more faculty training.
✅ Practical recommendations: Project-based learning, industry collaborations, and institutional frameworks like GreenComp to support sustainable teaching practices.
The session lead to discussions and debates, especially around:
• The role of interdisciplinary approaches in embedding sustainability across engineering disciplines.
• How to balance technical rigor with the broader societal and environmental impacts of engineering.
• The challenges of motivating both students and staff to embrace sustainability as a core value in education.