Engineering education for sustainable development in Vietnamese universities: building culturally appropriate strategies for transforming the engineering curriculum towards sustainable development

Phuong, Nguyen H (2013) Engineering education for sustainable development in Vietnamese universities: building culturally appropriate strategies for transforming the engineering curriculum towards sustainable development. PhD thesis, University of Gloucestershire.

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Abstract

The main goal of this study was to improve the contribution of higher education to sustainable development in Vietnam, specifically in the area of engineering education. The study mapped the current scenario of sustainable development and engineering in higher education in Vietnam as well as investigated how a cultural perspective may influence change strategies in higher education for sustainable development. This study addressed the need for empirical research on the education for sustainable development experience in Vietnam. It argued for and contributed to an emerging international dialogue about how to accelerate progress towards engineering curriculum transformation for sustainable development in different cultural contexts. Located in the interpretivist tradition, the study utilised a wide range of qualitative research techniques to collect and validate data including open-ended questionnaires, interviews, group discussions, participant observation and documentary review. Empirical data was generated between May 2010 and August 2012 in both Vietnam and the UK through three research stages. The first stage was informed by a qualitative survey which captured baseline data collected through a large group of stakeholders from different sectors and various levels of governance. The study mapped the current responses to sustainable development in Vietnam, and confirmed the need and expectation for change in Vietnamese engineering education towards sustainable development. Case study research was carried out at three Vietnamese engineering universities during stage two. The focus was on understanding the current processes and opportunities for curriculum change for sustainable development, as well as investigating how the specific contextual and cultural factors might influence the desired change. The study found evidence of issues which hampered the current efforts in education for sustainable development in the engineering universities in Vietnam. The analysis also provided insights into the Vietnamese values, attitudes and expectancies, and behavioural preferences which contributed to explaining why these issues existed.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Thesis Advisors:
Thesis AdvisorEmailURL
Tilbury, Danielladtilbury@glos.ac.ukUNSPECIFIED
El Ansari, Walidwelansari@glos.ac.ukUNSPECIFIED
Tomkinson, Charles Blandctomkinson@glos.ac.ukUNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Sustainable development, Vietnam; Sustainability, educational aspects; Sustainability, cultural aspects
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Divisions: Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Depositing User: Susan Turner
Date Deposited: 18 Mar 2015 12:21
Last Modified: 31 Aug 2023 09:10
URI: https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/2038

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