Report on: Survey findings.

Submitted to: Dr. Shantanu Kumar Saha

Course Name: Introduction to Sustainable Development
Course Code: GED- 205

Submitted by:
Name ID
Ishrat Jahan 162011075
Sanjida Jahan 162011039
Sadia Yesmin Shampa 163011031
Samiul Rabby Khan 162011088

Submission Date: 05.05.2019

Many people are not familiar with the concept of campus sustainability because they do not have
sufficient knowledge regarding what sustainability stands for. Without clear knowledge on
‘sustainability’ it would be hard for many to get along with campus sustainability. According to
Luisa Montes Sustainability Coordinator at Benito Juarez Teachers’ College “A sustainable
campus is a space in which the community can learn and gradually develop a culture of
sustainability and supervise and take care of natural resources”. The concept of sustainable
campus works as an aspiration that guides a vision towards environment friendly space that
nourishes our patience. So basically a sustainable campus is one that has achieved or trying to
reduce its ecological footprint and conducts various activities with institutional principles that
build inner justice, peace, respect and action to protect the natural systems and share knowledge
with others to change their perception towards it.

Few years back students were not that much concern about the environment and how they are
contributing to the damages without being known. But in recent years students have developed
concern towards their surroundings. Whether working on to reduce ecological footprint, raising
awareness about environmental problems or researching sustainable solutions, students as well as
the educational institutions that are working to transform themselves as agents of change are
living and learning regarding sustainability. In this context, ULAB encourages its students to be
a part of their journey to fully gain campus sustainability. ULAB and students are working on
efficient energy consumption, water conservation, and waste minimization, recycling and
promoting healthy living in the campus as well as in everyday life

Offering and taking course on Sustainable development surely can upgrade perception of the
students that can lead to behavioral change. The type of campus sustainability ULAB is
conducting only got the attention of a particular circle. The people who are aware of
sustainability are somewhat impacted by ULAB’s sustainability project though not all of them,
but those who are not aware of sustainability also has no idea regarding ULAB’s campus
sustainability, as a result not even slightly impacted. So taking course on Sustainable
development gives them opportunity to see why it is important and how little steps toward
sustainability can change their lifestyle and bless them. Students not only learn the bookish
knowledge but also practice and promote initiatives in their daily life. It will help to share the
information with other students and encourage them.

People who already took the course ‘’Sustainable Development’’, their knowledge about
sustainability is limited. There is lack of knowledge regarding students who haven’t taken the
course yet. On our survey, we have seen that students who have taken this course can related to
campus sustainability and already developed knowledge on sustainability; two of them are also
even working on sustainability. But those who haven’t take this course; some of them don’t
know what this term is. After explaining the term to them they had difficulties. The five people
we surveyed who are not aware of sustainability might not be totally affiliated with the term but
everyday some of their activities are helping to achieve one or two goals of sustainable
development. Despite the lack of their knowledge they are somehow contributing to the cause.
The survey clearly shows that power consumption, water waste in showers, then taps water
flowing are well checked among the seven people I have surveyed. Those who are enough
knowledgeable are trying to contribute their activity to the sustainable development goals as
much as possible. Seven participants most of them have common thing they are all aware of the
fact of Global warming and its causes.

Unfortunately, all of five people changed perception who took the course already. Five people
are still they are used to on the same wave length but they took this survey their concept changed
a little bit. There respondents, who already completed this subject, this course changed a lot
within him he said. He is well aware of recycling, reuse, plastic usage, local food consumption.
But before he thinks these materials damage the environment. The course taken respondents said
and he believes one day ULAB lunch a permanent solution regarding recycling. Another course
taken respondent is already working on recycling. Before taking this course they didn’t care
much about recycling that’s what they mostly emphasizing on at this moment. There is who
remaining course taken respondent said the course helped to add them previously gained
knowledge on sustainability and well aware of sustainability now they are well concerned on
reduced plastic consumption and consumption of food and also helped them to have a new look
on the economy and social sector where sustainability required.

Contributing to achieve sustainability such as turning lights, fans off before leaving room, not
wasting water during showers, trying to avoid using plastic bags and many more these common
activities are doing the non-course taker. Five respondents who took sustainable development
course previously are already implementing what they learned from the course but that does not
mean the other respondents of this survey are not contributing to the sustainability despite their
lack of knowledge. The course-taken ones are very aware of their intake of imported foods,
consumption, and mostly importantly avoiding doing activities which are contributing to
environmental damage. ULAB permanent campus and even inside ULAB some of them already
planted trees and trying to figure out solution to recycle the waste that we are producing in our
campus. ULAB also have a club “UALB SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT’’ they are working
to make ULAB a more sustainable campus and beyond and trying to aware of fact that who
haven’t taken the course is unaware of sustainability those are major portion of students, trying
to increase the awareness of sustainability among the students. Sustainable development club
members are working on to an action plan to reform the club into practical action oriented club.
We have surveyed 12 students of ULAB and their perceptions towards Campus Sustainability
depend on their knowledge about sustainability. Among these 12 students 7 students were
familiar with sustainability. These 7 students have primary knowledge about sustainability. Out
of these seven students 6 students have done a course related to sustainability. So they have a
clear and concrete perception towards sustainability. These 6 students are aware of this issue of
campus sustainability and they think it is a matter of concern. One student out of these 7 has
some sort of knowledge about sustainability through University campaign and also aware of this
issue. 5 students out of these 12 are not aware of this issue of campus sustainability and their
perception regarding sustainability is unclear. They don’t have any concern about this issue.

Knowledge about sustainability is limited to people who took courses regarding sustainability
and participated in campaigns regarding sustainability. On the other hand, students who haven’t
taken any course regarding sustainability can’t relate to campus sustainability. Knowledge has
been the key factor as it influences the perception towards sustainability. Students who have
proper knowledge about sustainability are aware of this issue of campus sustainability and their
perception is clear and concise about campus sustainability. People who haven’t taken any
course related to sustainability faced difficulties to relate campus sustainability. Perception
towards campus sustainability varies on the level of knowledge one has. Sustainability
campaigns have also changed perception of students who haven’t taken any course regarding
sustainability but the number of these kind of students is small. Students who have knowledge
about sustainability and clear perception are participating in many activities which support
campus sustainability. They are aware of plastic usage, recycling, paper usage, water usage
issues. Students who don’t have clear perception are not aware this issue and they are not taking
part in any kind of activities which support campus sustainability.

Perception regarding campus sustainability is dictated by students’ knowledge. Their perception

reflects their awareness and activities that support sustainability. Students are engaged with
various activities such as not wasting water. Turning lights fans off, trying to avoid using plastic
bags and many more. These activities definitely support sustainability and show positive mindset
towards campus sustainability
In our opinion, the survey was conducted within a small number of people so the result is not
displaying the actual picture of sustainability in ULAB neither its impact, it can only provide a
relatively close result. From the survey we can make few assumptions. Knowledge regarding
sustainability is only accessible from students who have previously completed sustainable
development course and their knowledge can be taken for future consideration in ULAB
sustainability project. Workshops on sustainability can build awareness to spread everyone or
else the objective of achieving campus sustainability. Short period of time will not be enough for
the purpose. Different students from different background are coming to university so it is a must
to arrange few workshops to make them aware of campus sustainability. In addition, to change
the perception of the students the university must offer them the knowledge first. Sustainable
development course should be mandatory for every student so even if they are not interested
towards such concept it will at least remove their fog of knowledge. The respondents we
surveyed are already somehow contributing to sustainability whether they are aware or unaware
of it. A little bit of guidance can make them the agents of change, where ULAB can play a bigger
role. Spreading awareness is just the beginning and guiding to reach the goals is the perfect
conduct. It is the responsibility of the university to bring out the change among the students and
developing their mindset to work on sustainability issues. To conclude, sustainability is not an
academic discipline but an ideological “lens” which can make the world a better place to live in
and ULAB can be the home of this change with the proper steps taken.