Embedding Sustainability into Mechanical Engineering Master Programs—A Case Study of the Top Technical Universities in Europe

Abstract

Considering the vital role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in accomplishing sustainable development goals, this study examines the ways in which sustainability is integrated into mechanical engineering master’s programs in the selected top technical universities in the EU. The content analysis was employed to evaluate the universities’ commitment to sustainability and approach to integrating sustainability into mechanical engineering programs. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating SystemTM (STARS) credit AC1 was used as a reference to categorise the courses into sustainability-focused courses (SF) and courses that include sustainability content (SI). We used the Sustainability Tool for Auditing University Curricula in Higher Education (STAUNCH) to identify the sustainability-related topics integrated into the mechanical engineering programs. The empirical findings indicate that while all three top technical universities in Europe demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to sustainability, their approaches for integrating sustainability into their mechanical engineering master’s programs vary, leaving room for further improvements. The paper thoroughly analyses the top technical universities’ sustainability efforts, offering valuable insights for educators and institutions seeking to enhance sustainability integration in higher education curricula.