17.4.4 Sustainability Literacy

Srinakharinwirot University promotes sustainability literacy for all students through its General Education curriculum. The course SWU 196: “Science and Art of Sustainable Social Development” develops understanding of sustainable development, social justice and community participation, encouraging students to apply sustainability thinking to real social issues. The course SWU 292: “Science: A Key to Harmonious Living with Our Environment” builds literacy in environmental science, ecosystem balance and human–environment interactions, linking scientific knowledge with everyday sustainable living. Both courses are open to students from all faculties, ensuring that sustainability literacy is integrated across disciplines rather than limited to specialist programmes.

In 2024, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) encouraged students to apply interdisciplinary knowledge—from social sciences, humanities, sciences, and health sciences—to contribute to sustainable development and community collaboration. The university promoted partnerships with local communities, public organizations, and civil society to advance sustainability initiatives.

A key example was the collaboration between the Faculty of Social Sciences and a Member of Parliament from Nakhon Ratchasima Province, an SWU engineering alumnus, to organize learning space development projects with primary schools in Pak Chong District. These activities emphasized building community-school relationships, enhancing environmental awareness, technological literacy, and public health knowledge, thereby strengthening both students’ and community members’ understanding of sustainability in practice.

Evidence / Course images:

SWU measures students’ sustainability literacy through the Educational Support and Service Office, using embedded assessments in General Education courses—e.g., SWU291 Healthy Lifestyle, SWU292 Science: A Key to Harmonious Living with Our Environment, and SWU293 Adaptation in a Dynamic Society. Evaluation includes a pre/post literacy quiz, rubric-based assignments, and course-level exam items aligned to sustainability outcomes. Results are aggregated each semester to track gains and inform curriculum improvement.

[Image: SWU 196 – Science and Art of Sustainable Social Development (GenEd course description)]

[Image: SWU 292 – Science: A Key to Harmonious Living with Our Environment (GenEd course description)]