ABUAD Sustainability Literacy Measurement

In 2023 Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) has continued to take steps to promote sustainability literacy among its students. The level of sustainability literacy is measured through the following ABUAD Sustainability Initiatives vis:

1.        ABUAD Sustainable Development Centre: ABUAD has established a Sustainable Development Unit, which focuses on research, training, and community engagement on sustainable development issues. This Unit is under the leadership of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership (DVC, ARISP).  One of the cardinal objectives of the Unit is to measure sustainability literacy among the students, staff members, and ABUAD Community as a whole. This is done annually using the relevant metrics and key performance indicators to measure, evaluate, assess, and track their sustainability awareness and literacy improvement.

2.         ABUAD Community Environmental Clubs: ABUAD has active Community Environmental Clubs, which organize events, campaigns, and projects to promote environmental awareness and sustainability. These include the ABUAD Green Club, ABUAD Drug Prevention and Control Club, Hydrogen Research Institute, ABUAD Gender Inclusion Unit, ABUAD Climate Leadership Group, ABUAD Healthcare Outreach Club, ABUAD Blood Donation Club, ABUAD Law and Community Legal Clinic, among many others

4.         University-wide Sustainability Courses Assessments: ABUAD offers courses incorporating sustainability and environmental education in undergraduate and postgraduate programs, such as Environmental Science, Renewable Energy, Leadership, Agricultural Production, Entrepreneurship Development and Education, Kinesiology, Community and Public Health, Conflicts, Peace and Strategic Studies, Social Justice, Law, AI, Human Nutrition and Dietetics Sustainable Development, Computer Literacy, Space Development, and Climate Change. These sustainability Courses must be passed before any learners will satisfy the requirement for graduation from the University. The courses range from 1-credit to 4-credit courses.

Some sustainability courses are named AFE Institutional Courses after the Founder, Aare Afe Babalola. These courses are developed as part of the university curriculum and are required for graduation with a minimum of 1 credit each. This will be in addition to the minimum credits required for a student to graduate at both the Undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The sustainability course assessments are based on exams, assignments, and projects to evaluate students’ understanding of sustainability concepts. Students/Participants are sometimes encouraged to conduct research projects on sustainability-related topics, which can help assess their knowledge and critical thinking skills.

For instance, the ABUAD Law and Community Legal Clinic is a Compulsory 400-level course that must be passed before graduation. See the attached ABUAD Law and Community Legal Clinic Flyer.

5.         Non-University-wide Sustainability Education Assessments: ABUAD conducts surveys or questionnaires to assess students’/participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainability. After the training, a certificate of Participation is always issued to all registered participants. The sustainability course assessments are based on exams, assignments, and projects to evaluate students’ understanding of sustainability concepts. Students/Participants are sometimes encouraged to conduct research projects on sustainability-related topics, which can help assess their knowledge and critical thinking skills. Case Studies include the Sustainability Literacy measurement and impact assessment for the International Conference on Sustainable Leadership and Governance for Sustainable Change, Job and Wealth Creation organized by Afe Babalola University, Nigeria, and Trinity Western University, Canada, on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

Another instance is the measurement of Sustainability Literacy of the Students/Participants at the Youth Empowerment in Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture – A project undertaken by Afe Babalola University, Nigeria, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and AfricaRice. The Participants engaged in both examination and pet projects to assess their Literacy.

In like manner, the ABUAD/UNESCO Chair on Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Education also measures literacy through assessments, surveys, and questionnaires. The Participants receive a certificate of Participation at the end of the program annually.

ABUAD Green Club organizes an annual event to train its members and prospective members on Sustainability, emphasizing the green environment and tree planting. The participants’ literacy is assessed through quizzes, examinations, and projects during the training. The project includes planting trees across the university. In 2023, 650 trees were planted, 65% more than in the 2022 edition.