Enhancing postgraduate students perspective of sustainability awareness in Australia: A practical experience

Title : Enhancing postgraduate students perspective of sustainability awareness in Australia: A practical experience

Abstract:

The aim of this research is to deepen the comprehension of sustainability awareness among postgraduate students enrolled in three specific units: ISYS6004 Green Information Technology and Sustainability, MGMT6085 Corporate Sustainability Immersion, and MGMT6068 Sustainability and Global Business Study Tour. These units are aligned with UNSDG 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17. Universities are focusing more on sustainability education to prepare students to address global challenges responsibly. This includes expanding their understanding of economic, social, and environmental concerns, with a focus on technology waste, energy consumption, recycling, Indigenous knowledge, sovereignty, and community well-being. The units offer hands-on sustainability experience through MGMT6068 to Jordan and Singapore in 2023 and 2025, respectively, while MGMT6085 engages students in devising practical solutions for a company in Swan Valley through on-site visits. ISYS6004 tasks students with formulating a sustainable IT strategy to tackle IT challenges in a real-world organization, both locally and globally. Feedback from 700 students reveals that completing these units, which involve individual and group assessments, has improved students' technical and interpersonal skills for academic and professional endeavors, while also raising awareness of cultural and environmental issues, technological proficiency, and a dedication to environmental stewardship.

Biography:

As an Associate Professor at Curtin University's Management School, she specialises in Information Systems, Sustainable Design, and e-Learning. With over two decades of experience in higher education, she has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between technology and sustainable practices in business and education.

Her research focuses on the intersection of technology, sustainability, and multicultural education. She has co-edited and authored several influential books, including Management Information Systems: Harnessing Technologies for Business & Society and Perspectives on Social Media: A Yearbook, which explore the evolving landscape of digital technologies in organisational and educational contexts.

As a passionate educator, she has developed curricula in Green IT and Knowledge Management, earning multiple teaching excellence awards. Her approach emphasises practical application and critical thinking, preparing students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital world.

She is also committed to advancing sustainable practices in IT and fostering international collaborations. Her work has been recognised through research grants and invitations to chair international conferences. Currently, she is exploring the impact of emerging technologies on sustainable business practices and multicultural education.

She has been involved in local and global projects and has received several teaching, learning, and research awards at both national and international levels.

She is always eager to connect with fellow researchers, industry professionals, and students to explore collaborative opportunities that drive positive change in the field.