Chemistry courses lack the formula for sustainability

Citation

(2002), "Chemistry courses lack the formula for sustainability", Education + Training, Vol. 44 No. 4/5. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2002.00444dab.014

Chemistry courses lack the formula for sustainability

Chemistry courses lack the formula for sustainability

Closer co-operation between universities and industry is needed at a European level in order to protect the environment, a study into green issues in chemistry courses has recommended. The study, commissioned by the German education ministry and carried out by Copernicus (the Co-operation Programme in Europe for Research on Nature and Industry through Co-ordinated University Studies), also highlighted the need for improved European-level co-operation between universities, and better integration of sustainability into academic curricula. The study concludes that: "Sustainability does not seem to have become a mainstream topic in chemistry higher education in Europe. In this respect, chemistry does not differ from other subject areas. Almost ten years after Rio, almost all show the need for action in the field of sustainability." The study identifies the EU Socrates education programme and Leonardo vocational-training programme as good opportunities to boost co-operation.

The full report is available on the Internet, at http://www.copernicus-campus.org/sites/sustchem.html.