ERIC Number: EJ1453610
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2331-186X
Available Date: N/A
Universities and Sustainable Development Goals Localisation: Insights from Academic Staff in Zimbabwe
Cogent Education, v11 n1 Article 2428877 2024
The year 2024 marked nine of the 15-year timeline towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Consequently, questions arise regarding the progress made. Based on a survey (n=290), key informant interviews (n=31), and archival sources, this paper explored the role and perspectives of academic staff in localising the SDGs within Zimbabwean universities. Despite high awareness of SDGs among academics, with 82.07% indicating prior knowledge, there remains significant gaps in the promotion of SDG-related initiatives in core mandates. Few academics have published SDG-related works, highlighting a disconnect between awareness and scholarly output. Institutional engagement and readiness for SDGs localisation appear limited, with a significant proportion of respondents expressing unfamiliarity with institutional policies and SDGs projects on the ground. The study also identified several barriers to effective SDG localisation, including inadequate funding, demotivated staff, a lack of top management support, and additional workload without proper incentives. While there is a clear recognition of the importance of SDGs and their commitment to their integration within Zimbabwean universities, significant challenges impede their full localisation. The study recommends enhanced financial resources, institutional support, and policy development to empower academics and institutions to meaningfully contribute towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
Descriptors: Objectives, Sustainable Development, Universities, Foreign Countries, College Faculty, Teacher Attitudes, Prior Learning, Knowledge Level, Teacher Role, Change Strategies, Educational Policy, Institutional Characteristics, Institutional Role, Barriers, Context Effect
Cogent OA. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Zimbabwe
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A