Sustainability on Campus : a University of Malta student’s perspective

Abstract

This study attempts to gauge University of Malta (UM) students’ perspectives regarding sustainability measures on campus. A multimethod approach employs semi-structured interviews with nineteen student organisations’ representatives and a questionnaire responded by one-hundred and eight students. Students wish to be more involved in sustainability policy creation and governance on campus, therefore, UM could seek better stakeholder involvement and enshrine this in a Code of Good Governance. Numerous sustainability measures are being implemented, however, awareness about them, the Committee for Sustainability (C-SUM), and the Strategic Plan 2020-2025 could be ameliorated by better social media utilisation. Overwhelmingly, students believe UM must provide them the necessary skill set to live more sustainably, perhaps sustainability themes could be interwoven within all learning. Data collection was hampered by COVID-19 precautionary measures while inherent limitations of qualitative and quantitative data gathering, and the author’s interpretation of findings constrain the study. Additionally, there may exist valid reasons why recommendations are not already implemented or perhaps cannot be considered. This research should provide the opportunity to clarify students’ perspectives regarding sustainability on campus, possibly aiding future evidence based policy in this area. Furthermore, it might inspire additional research into local HEIs’ sustainability, currently a nascent niche. Participants and readers might be instigated to reflect, then strive for corporations and society to operate more sustainably.