Stimulating Engineering Students’ Potential for Sustainable Development

Mantoura Nakad (), Linda Gardelle and Rami J. Abboud
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Mantoura Nakad: FoAP Research Unit, Cnam Paris, ENSTA, 29806 Brest, France
Linda Gardelle: FoAP Research Unit, Department of Human and Social Sciences, ENSTA, 29806 Brest, France
Rami J. Abboud: FOE Dean’s Office, Faculty of Engineering, University of Balamand, Kelhat P.O. Box 100, Lebanon

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Engineers can play a critical role in achieving sustainable development (SD). Despite this, there is a lack of specialized courses delivered in the undergraduate engineering curricula in Lebanon. The purpose of this study is to assess the outcomes of a newly developed core course on sustainability for engineering students integrated into the undergraduate engineering curriculum at one university in Lebanon. The study makes an original contribution as no similar course, in its current structure, has been found in the existing literature. A quantitative methodology was employed through a survey administered to the students both before and after course delivery. The survey aimed to assess the effectiveness of the course in changing students’ awareness, perceptions, practices, and views on the engineering profession and how it relates to sustainability. The findings indicate that the course has significantly enhanced the understanding and awareness of the engineering students regarding sustainable development. This enhancement impacted positively on their perceptions, practices, and views regarding the importance of sustainable development in engineering education. This study presents an interdisciplinary course integrated into the engineering curriculum and augmented the students’ awareness and knowledge on how to incorporate sustainable development into their design processes.

Keywords: sustainability; engineering education; higher education; course; curriculum; Lebanon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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