A systems approach to sustainability in higher education: Analysis of undergraduate architectural education in Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Kazakhstan.
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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
Location:
P1 OPINNÄYTTEET D 2019 Nsanbayeva
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Authors
Date
2019
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Creative Sustainability
Language
en
Pages
94
Series
Abstract
Purpose - The research explores the broad topic of sustainability in higher education by focusing on the undergraduate architectural education in Kazakhstan. Specifically, the case study examines Kazakh Leading Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering (KazGASA), a leading higher educational institution in Kazakhstan in the field of architecture, design and construction. It started with the questions: What is the status of sustainability initiatives in KazGASA?, following up with What are the leverage points within KazGASA as a system that could potentially lead to large changes towards sustainability education? Methodology/ approach - From the design research perspective, it is a theoretical thesis; and the overall approach was based on empirical case study research. 14 interviews with students, faculty and academic administration members in KazGASA were conducted during 2 field trips. The systems approach is used to analyse data from interviews; and identify feedback loops, system archetypes, mental models, and barriers and opportunities for the integration of sustainability in KazGASA. Findings - Currently, sustainability topics are only moderately represented in KazGASA having some topics related to sustainability within the existing courses. There is a lack of importance from the Ministry of Education and Science, and sustainability is not considered as a priority. However, ongoing changes in the education of the country, which include academic freedom and international accreditations, offer an opportunity for HEIs in Kazakhstan to develop new study programmes and have organisational independence. Using leverage points by D. Meadows (1999) as a tool, the research identifies intervention places and suggest recommendations that could instigate transformation process in KazGASA towards sustainability education. Originality/ value - While there are many case studies about sustainability in HEIs or sustainability in architectural education, based on the search in international peer-reviewed journals, no such studies were conducted in Kazakhstan. There are scarce research papers on the state of sustainability initiatives in government and education system in Kazakhstan and Central Asia generally. Therefore, on a broader sense, the research offers unique country-based perspective by looking into the literature review on SHE and architectural education, as well as strategic plans by the government of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Education and Science.Description
Supervisor
Maze, RamiaThesis advisor
Karvinen, MeeriKeywords
sustainability, sustainability in higher education, sustainability in architectural education, systems approach, sustainability in Kazakhstan, architectural education in Kazakhstan, sustainable development, systems thinking