LTA Connect - Exploring and celebrating the SLE: Abertay Net Zero Student Partnership

Session Outline

Relevance to Sustainable Development:
This presentation presents an example of a module (Business and Environmental Sustainability) that has been developed to address future skills requirements from employers within the context of the Net Zero by 2045 goal in Scotland. Organisations (particularly in the public sector) are mandated to meet this required ambition (and required milestones). Therefore the next generation of graduates in Scotland must be enabled with the knowledge and skills to help organisations eliminate carbon emissions. The third year module was created to develop these skills within the students. To assess the learning outcomes of the module, the final assessment involved the students selecting and organisation of their choice and writing a report. The purpose of the report was to conduct and evaluation of the current environmental impact of the organisation before developing a strategy (and implementation plan) to reduce that impact. The module also aimed to inspire and encourage those who may then wish to pursue a career tackling challenges associated with climate change and other environmental challenges.

Student Partnership:
An example of a student led partnership will then be presented. This partnership was an Interface Innovation Voucher project with the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre in Moray. The centre wanted an evaluation of their current carbon emissions and then a model to be created to measure and track these emissions over time. I applied for this project and successfully recruited a 4th year student (who had excelled at the Business and Environmental Sustainability module the previous year). This allowed the student to apply the skills and knowledge they had learned from the module in a practical context with genuine impact. It also allowed the student to continue their development, earn an income and enhance their employability. From an educator perspective it was a deeply fulfilling experience to participate in this student partnership that was a success for the student, client organisation and University.

Presenter

Angus Brodie: Lecturer and Programme Leader for Business Management at Abertay University in Dundee. My research are environmental sustainability (particularly within the automotive industry) and entrepreneurship. I have developed and currently deliver modules to undergraduate students in both of these areas.

Learning and Teaching Enhancement Strategy Values

Advance HE Professional Standards Framework

• V4 respond to the wider context in which higher education operates, recognising implications for practice
• V5 collaborate with others to enhance practice
• K1 how learners learn, generally and within specific subjects
• K2 approaches to teaching and/or supporting learning, appropriate for subjects and level of study
• A1 design and plan learning activities and/or programmes
• A4 support and guide learners 

Professional Standard's for Scotland's Colleges

• 1.2.4 Supports and encourages students to take personal responsibility for leading their own learning
• 1.2.5  Embraces and embeds sustainability in learning and teaching.
• 1.3.4  Embraces change and emerging practices and developments. 
• 3.3.1 Designs, delivers and evaluates a demand-led curriculum which prepares the students for a dynamic labour market. 
• 3.3.2 Works in partnership with colleagues, students and partners including employers, to design and create innovative learning and teaching activities and environments.
• 3.3.3 Collaborates with and empowers students to co-design their learning. 

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