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Sustainable Higher Education: Innovative Teaching and Learning, and Leadership for Creating Impacts on Local Society and Globally

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Education and Approaches".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 March 2025 | Viewed by 2430

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
International School for Social and Business Studies Celje, University of Primorska Koper, Koper-Capodistria, Slovenia
Interests: management; higher education; teaching and learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Management in Production and Transport, Politehnica University of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
Interests: organizations dynamics; sustainable development management; educational projects
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of Humanities & Social Sciences, Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane 53000, Morocco
Interests: strategic management; human resource development; leadership development
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

(1) Introduction, including scientific background and highlighting the importance of this research area.

The landscape of higher education continues to evolve, facing new challenges and embracing opportunities to make a lasting impact both locally and globally. As sustainability becomes increasingly critical in our world, it is imperative that institutions of higher learning adapt and innovate in their teaching, learning, and leadership practices. In light of this, we are excited to announce a call for papers for a Special Issue titled "Sustainable Higher Education: Innovative Teaching and Learning, and Leadership for Creating Impacts on Local Society and Globally".

(2) Aim of the Special Issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope.

This Special Issue aims to gather a collection of insightful research articles, case studies, and review papers that explore innovative approaches, methodologies, and practices in higher education that contribute to sustainability in its broadest sense. We invite contributions from academics, educators, policy-makers, and practitioners working to integrate sustainability into the fabric of higher education.

(3) Suggest themes.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Innovative Pedagogies for Sustainability: Explorations of teaching and learning methods that inspire transformative learning experiences, foster sustainable thinking and practices among students, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
  • Leadership in Sustainable Higher Education: Insights into leadership practices, policies, and models promoting sustainability within institutions and extending their influence to encompass wider communities.
  • Curriculum Development for Sustainability: Studies on integrating sustainability into the curriculum across various disciplines, showcasing interdisciplinary and collaborative methods that integrate environmental, social, and economic sustainability into education
  • Campus Sustainability Initiatives: Case studies and analyses of successful campus sustainability projects, including green infrastructure, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.
  • Community Engagement and Impact: Examinations of how higher-education institutions engage with local communities to promote sustainable development and achieve meaningful societal impacts.
  • Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Discussions on international collaborations and partnerships that advance sustainable development goals in higher education.
  • Sustainability in Higher Education Management: Innovative approaches to incorporating sustainability into higher-education institutions' management and operational practices.
  • The Role of Technology in Sustainable Higher Education: Investigations into integrating cutting-edge technologies to support sustainability goals, detailing their impact on enhancing educational outcomes, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
  • Policy and Governance for Sustainability: Analyzing policy frameworks and governance structures that promote sustainable practices and decision-making within higher education institutions.
  • Technology and Innovation for Sustainability: Investigating the role of technology and digital tools in advancing sustainability education, research, and outreach efforts within higher education.
  • Cross-Cultural and Global Perspectives: Exploring diverse cultural contexts and global perspectives on sustainability education, leadership, and impacts in higher education settings.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Nada Trunk Širca
Prof. Dr. Anca Draghici
Dr. Karim Moustaghfir
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • higher education
  • innovative teaching and learning
  • leadership
  • third mission of the university
  • inclusive society
  • internationalization
  • artificial intelligence and technology
  • sustainable development

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 3081 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Air-Quality Predictions on University Campuses: A Machine-Learning Approach to PM2.5 Forecasting at the University of Petroșani
by Fabian Arun Panaite, Cosmin Rus, Monica Leba, Andreea Cristina Ionica and Michael Windisch
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7854; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177854 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 570
Abstract
This study focuses on predicting PM2.5 levels at the University of Petroșani by employing advanced machine-learning techniques to analyze a dataset that encapsulates a wide array of air pollutants and meteorological factors. Utilizing data from Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and established environmental [...] Read more.
This study focuses on predicting PM2.5 levels at the University of Petroșani by employing advanced machine-learning techniques to analyze a dataset that encapsulates a wide array of air pollutants and meteorological factors. Utilizing data from Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and established environmental monitoring stations, the research leverages Random Forest, Gradient Boosting Machines, and Support Vector Regression models to forecast air quality, emphasizing the complex interplay between various pollutants. The models demonstrate varying degrees of accuracy, with the Random Forest model achieving the highest predictive power, indicated by an R2 score of 0.82764. Our findings highlight the significant impact of specific pollutants such as NO, NO2, and CO on PM2.5 levels, suggesting targeted mitigation strategies could enhance local air quality. Additionally, the study explores the role of temporal dynamics in pollution trends, employing time-series analysis to further refine the predictive accuracy. This research contributes to the field of environmental science by providing a nuanced understanding of air-quality fluctuations in a university setting and offering a replicable model for similar environments seeking to reduce airborne pollutants and protect public health. Full article
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17 pages, 3189 KiB  
Article
Investigating School Principals’ Burnout: A Cross-Cultural Perspective on Stress, Sustainability, and Organizational Climate
by Remus Sibisanu, Stanislav Cseminschi, Andreea Ionica, Monica Leba, Anca Draghici and Yunis Nassar
Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 7016; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167016 - 15 Aug 2024
Viewed by 762
Abstract
Chronic stress, culminating in burnout, evolves gradually and is notoriously difficult to detect due to vague symptoms and individuals’ hesitances to acknowledge their struggles. To expedite the identification and recognition of this condition, enabling timely psychological intervention, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) [...] Read more.
Chronic stress, culminating in burnout, evolves gradually and is notoriously difficult to detect due to vague symptoms and individuals’ hesitances to acknowledge their struggles. To expedite the identification and recognition of this condition, enabling timely psychological intervention, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being considered. This research does not assert the feasibility of an AI system managing all aspects of chronic stress’s impact. However, it highlights the capability of current technology to detect stress indicators based on quantifiable data like Heart Rate (HR) and organizational climate dimensions. Although other physiological markers such as oximetry, skin galvanic response, and EKG have been explored, they have not shown reliable differentiation between stress and joy. Focused on the unique context of school principals in the Bedouin region of Israel, this study investigates the interplay between HR, organizational climate, and stress levels. It introduces a novel application of a fuzzy logic tool that combines HR and organizational climate metrics to aid in stress diagnosis. This tool incorporates the psychologist’s expertise to provide real-time data crucial for developing effective coping strategies. While the AI-supported fuzzy system does not replace professional psychological intervention, it significantly enhances the speed of condition identification and intervention planning, thus shortening the response time to stress-related issues in educational leadership within culturally specific settings. The application of such AI-driven tools is pivotal for sustaining the well-being and effectiveness of educational leaders, thereby supporting the broader goal of educational sustainability. Full article
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