17.4.4 : Measuring Sustainability Literacy of Students

Al-Ayen University recognizes the importance of sustainability education and strives to embed sustainable development principles into its academic and extracurricular activities. The university measures the sustainability literacy of its students through various mechanisms, ensuring that they are well-prepared to contribute to sustainable development in their future careers. Below are the key methods and strategies employed:

Key Mechanisms and Strategies:

1- Regular Student Questionnaires and Surveys: The university conducts quarterly questionnaires that include sections dedicated to assessing student knowledge and understanding of sustainability concepts. This helps in identifying gaps and areas for improvement in sustainability education.

*The Institutional and Program Accreditation Committee at the College of Engineering Technology conducted a survey today, October 28, 2024, regarding the academic courses in the Biomedical Engineering and Engineering Technology departments. This survey is part of the college's ongoing efforts to implement continuous improvement methods that ensure a distinguished educational experience within strategies aimed at evaluating the educational process and meeting students' academic needs. The survey focused on gathering student feedback on the academic courses and identifying strengths and areas for improvement, thereby contributing to raising the level of academic performance and aligning the curricula with labor market demands. 

Link: https://alayen.edu.iq/news/details/2968

*On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the Continuing Education Unit at the College of Education held a seminar entitled "Time Management: The Ladder to Success," presented by Engineer Nafeh Alwan Al-Shaheen. He discussed how to manage time effectively and organize daily hours to improve one's circumstances and make the best use of time to achieve desired success.

A questionnaire was distributed to students to gather information about their time management and utilization practices. The workshop was attended by many students from the Chemistry Department at our college, as well as participants from various other institutions. A discussion session followed, during which a number of problems were raised and appropriate solutions proposed.

Link: https://alayen.edu.iq/news/details/1970

2. Integration of Sustainability into Academic Programs: By embedding sustainability topics across various courses, the university ensures that students are consistently exposed to important concepts. The evaluation of students' performance in these courses provides a measure of their sustainability literacy.

3. Workshops and Training Programs: Al-Ayen University organizes workshops and seminars on topics related to environmental awareness, renewable energy, and sustainable practices. Student participation and feedback from these sessions are analyzed to gauge their understanding of sustainability principles.

* On Sunday, December 1, 2024, Al-Ayen University in Iraq continued its activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week, with a diverse range of events focusing on important topics related to entrepreneurship and community development. The second day included a scientific seminar presented by medical student Maryam Saad Naji, entitled “Sustainable Health Development and its Contradiction with Human Resource Development,” in which she discussed the relationship between developing health services and their role in achieving sustainable development.

Link: https://alayen.edu.iq/news/details/3200

3. Student Performance Indicators: The university follows up on student performance indicators through classroom results, participation in sustainability-related projects, and engagement in discussions on sustainable development topics. This continuous assessment helps to measure the students' grasp of sustainability concepts.

Link: https://alayen.edu.iq/news/details/3200 

4. Focus on Community Engagement: The university holds symposiums and dialogues that invite community members and various stakeholders to discuss sustainability challenges. By involving students in these events, the university can evaluate their ability to communicate and apply sustainability concepts in real-world scenarios.

*The third day of Global Entrepreneurship Week at Al-Ayen Iraqi University took place on Monday, December 2, 2024. The events included a lecture titled “Entrepreneurship in the Healthcare Sector: Innovation Opportunities and Challenges,” presented by Assistant Professor Abdul Rahman Abbas Al-Batat, Director of the Continuing Education Center. Professor Al-Batat reviewed the opportunities available in the healthcare sector and highlighted the key challenges facing entrepreneurs in this field. An inspiring session titled “Success Stories: Achievements of Volunteer Teams Supported by Al-Ayen Iraqi University” was also held, presented by Mr. Yasser Faleh Shanan, Director of the Al-Ain University in Iraq Humanitarian Foundation. This session showcased successful models of volunteer work and their contributions to community development. These events are part of the university's efforts to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students and the community and to reaffirm its leading role in supporting academic and community activities.

Link: https://alayen.edu.iq/news/details/3205

5. Global Collaboration and Benchmarking: Through partnerships with international universities, Al-Ayen University benchmarks its educational practices against global standards, ensuring that its approach to sustainability education is effective and aligned with best practices. This international perspective enriches the students' understanding of sustainability and enables the university to measure their literacy against global standards.

*As part of Al Ayen Iraqi University's sustainable international cooperation and training plan for third-year students nominated for summer internships outside Iraq, students from the Petroleum Engineering Department at the College of Engineering in Iraq undertook an educational visit to Sharif University of Technology in the Islamic Republic of Iran on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. This visit aimed to enhance the students' scientific knowledge and practical skills through direct interaction with the advanced infrastructure and laboratories at Sharif University. In addition to the academic component, the program also included cultural tours of the city, where the students learned about Iranian history and culture. These tours added a cultural dimension to their training experience, contributing to a deeper understanding of their surrounding environment. This visit reflects Al Ayen Iraqi University commitment to providing outstanding educational opportunities for its students and developing their skills. It also demonstrates the university's dedication to building strong academic partnerships with leading international universities, which helps prepare a generation of distinguished petroleum engineers.

Link:  https://alayen.edu.iq/news/details/2726 

* Visit of students from the College of Engineering at Al-Ayen Iraqi University in Iraq to the Science and Technology Research Institute in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Third-year students undertaking their summer training outside Iraq visited the Institute of Science and Technology Research in the Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday, July 27, 2024. The visit included several important activities, most notably:

-Interaction with local students: The students met with their peers from the Institute of Science and Nutrition, where they exchanged cultural and academic experiences, contributing to enhanced mutual understanding and strengthening academic ties between students from different countries.

-Visiting research projects: Students were introduced to research projects and scientific initiatives, gaining insight into how research and innovation are conducted in an international academic environment. This visit aims to strengthen academic cooperation between educational institutions and provide students with an opportunity to gain new experiences and broaden their scientific and cultural horizons.

Link: https://alayen.edu.iq/news/details/2714

Conclusion:

Al-Ayen University is dedicated to ensuring that its students are not only knowledgeable about sustainability issues but are also capable of applying this knowledge in various fields. By continuously measuring and enhancing sustainability literacy through comprehensive


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The Sustainable Development Goals: Al-Ayen Iraqi University's Evolving Strategy Towards 2027

https://en.alayen.edu.iq/public/en/save_file/files/88168e6e6c98e106163890bee72924b8_.pdf

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