NUS presenatation by Jamie Agombar, Head of Sustainability NUS. Do students want to learn about sustainable design?

1. Students, skills and sustainability
Jamie Agombar, Head of Sustainability

6. 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2010
(n=5654)
2011
(n=1514)
2012
(n=4009)
2013
(n=3019)
2010
(n=5622)
2011
(n=1518)
2012
(n=3991)
2013
(n=2998)
2010
(n=5620)
2011
(n=1516)
2012
(n=3963)
2013
(n=2987)
Sustainable development is something
which universities should actively
incorporate and promote
Sustainable development is something
which university courses should actively
incorporate and promote
Sustainable development is something
which I would like to learn more about
Agree
Strongly
agree
Q. To what extent do you agree with the following statements?
A latent student interest in sustainability

9. Demand is greater from international students
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
UK citizen studying in the
UK (n=3346)
International student
studying in the UK (n=370)
UK citizen studying in the
UK (n=1496)
International student
studying in the UK (n=169)
1st years 2013-14 2nd years 2013-14
Agree
Strongly
agree
Q. To what extent do you agree with the following statements?
‘Sustainable development is something which I would like to learn more
about’

11. Skills for sustainable development
Adapt to new
situations
Analyse using
many subjects
Plan for the long
term as well as
the short term
Understand
people’s
relationship to
nature
Act as a
responsible
citizen locally &
globally
Use resources
efficiently
Consider the
ethical issues of
your subject
Think of the whole
system and the links
when considering
new ideas

12. Q. How important do you think the following skills are to your future employers?
SD skills perceived as important to employers
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2012
1st
years (n
= 3975)
2013
2nd
years (n
= 1715)
2012
1st
years (n
= 3961)
2013
2nd
years (n
= 1712)
2012
1st
years (n
= 3971)
2013
2nd
years (n
= 1716)
2012
1st
years (n
= 3966)
2013
2nd
years (n
= 1710)
2012
1st
years (n
= 3974)
2013
2nd
years (n
= 1715)
2012
1st
years (n
= 3972)
2013
2nd
years (n
= 1717)
2012
1st
years (n
= 3977)
2013
2nd
years (n
= 1719)
2012
1st
years (n
= 3969)
2013
2nd
years (n
= 1718)
2012
1st
years (n
= 3976)
2013
2nd
years (n
= 1714)
Understand
people’s
relationship to
nature
Analyse using
many subjects
Act as a
responsible
citizen locally &
globally
Plan for the
long term as
well as the
short term
Use resources
efficiently
Think of the
whole system
and the links
when
considering
new ideas
Adapt to new
situations
Consider the
ethical issues of
your subject
Problem solving
using many
subjects
Somewhat
important
Very
important

14. Skills development remains high on
respondents’ agendas
Over two thirds of first year
respondents consistently agree that
universities should be obliged to
develop their sustainability skills as
part of their course
There is a continued desire amongst
students for a reframing of
curriculum content, rather than
additional content or courses
Maintaining and developing links
with employers is increasingly
relevant to respondents, with
internships increasingly seen as a
method of further skills development

15. A desire to progress the agenda through work,
with a preference for a role over a company
Q. We are interested in your prioritisation of social and environmental aspects into the
future. For the following pairings, please select which option you think that you would
choose in the future.
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Assuming all other factors are equal, a graduate position
with a starting salary of £3000 lower than average
(£20,000) in a role that contributes to positive
environmental and social change
Assuming all other factors are equal, a graduate position
with a starting salary of £3000 lower than average
(£20,000) in a company with a strong environmental and
social record
2013/14
1st years
2013/14
2nd
years

19. NUS plan
• NUSHEA5 and employers survey
• Student Sustainability Summit – 23 Mar 2015
• Responsible Futures
• WHOLE EARTH? and SOS

20. Jamie Agombar
jamie.agombar@nus.org.uk