Communicating Sustainability: Context Matters

摘要

Engineering graduates from Malaysian IHLs have an obligation to practice the knowledge and skills they have gained in a responsible manner to create sustainable living conditions for the society. Ironically though, research indicates that not only are local engineering graduates lacking the competences to do so, local IHLs are also failing to develop the relevant sustainability competences their engineering graduates must develop to be able to function and communicate productively within the sustainability conscious engineering workplace. This issue can be addressed through the advancement of sustainability communication. The present study thus set out to explore this phenomenon further. Using an exemplifying case study approach, perspectives of student stakeholders of a private engineering institution of higher learning's (IHL) were sought, on the inclusion of sustainable development as the context of the professional communication skills module offered within the undergraduate engineering programme at the said IHL. The study employed an action research methodology, through two interventions, i.e. engagement sessions with sustainability practitioners from the industry, and lecturer-peer think-pair-share scaffolding activities. Learner perceptions of the interventions were sought via pre and post surveys, interviews and learner reflections, over three cycles. Finding from the study suggest that the engagement sessions with sustainability practitioners from the industry were more effective. These findings provide important pointers for local IHLs to consider in developing their undergraduate engineering curriculum.