The Phenomenon of Lecturer Competences as a Prerequisite for the Advancement of Sustainable Development Ideas in the Context of Student-Centred Studies

Abstract

Research and higher education regulations have been shaping attitudes not only towards the higher education lecturer as a professional in the field who is able to use educational tools but also towards the interfaces between lecturers and students. In this lecturer–student interaction, the students’ own perception of the qualities of the lecturer’s personality and/or possessed competences that are acceptable to them and that motivate them to participate in the learning process should be emphasised as an important aspect of success. Thus, the article raises the following problem questions: (1) What competences should a lecturer have from the students’ point of view to achieve student-centred studies? (2) What is the relationship between the competences of the lecturer and the implementation of sustainable development ideas in the organisation of student-centred studies? This article is based on a 2019 survey conducted among Lithuanian university and college students, employing a questionnaire survey with a survey instrument that included open-ended questions. The survey was conducted with a sample of 390 participants. In addressing the issue at hand, it becomes evident that, from the students’ perspective, the personality of the lecturer possesses a multidimensional character. They not only value the lecturer’s expertise in the subject matter taught (subject competence) but also place a stronger emphasis on two other aspects. First, they value the lecturer’s ability to motivate and engage students in the learning process (educational competence), which includes an essential component: communication competence. Second, the lecturer’s personality acquires meaning through fundamental human values.