CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2009
| Author | Chandrasekharan, Sandhya |
|---|---|
| Title | Sustainable Development, the Knowledge Society and Higher Education Policy in Europe: Where are the linkages? |
| Summary | This thesis examines the concepts of Sustainable Development and the Knowledge Society. It makes a case for recognising Sustainable Development as a counter hegemonic Knowledge Society discourse, as the concept of Sustainable Development rests on new knowledge that will drive a circular economy. Hegemonic Knowledge Society discourse, this thesis argues, not only ignores the core question of the characteristics of the knowledge that are the hallmark of the Knowledge Society, but is also framed in terms of national sovereignty, economic gain and isolated practice of techno-economic science in relation to Higher Education Policy and Practice. As a result, it does little to further the cause of Sustainable Development. The thesis also undertakes to examine ways of facilitating knowledge that can provide for stronger Sustainable Development – Higher Education linkages. It suggests that greater multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity informed by a paradigm shift in favour of systems thinking is particularly relevant. In a global scenario where the notion of what constitutes worthwhile knowledge is being constrained by narrow economic interests, the thesis argues, facilitating such a shift will reclaim the university and higher education as a space for innovation and change in the interest of a critical modernity. The policy recommendations it concludes with to help strengthen Sustainable Development–Knowledge Society linkage via Higher Education include restructuring curriculum and syllabi at the university level in favour of greater multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, facilitating greater international student exchange and participation in pursuit of Higher Education for Sustainable Development to bridge development gaps and share benefits, and forging meaningful partnerships between businesses and governments to further research for Sustainable Development. |
| Supervisor | Howlett, Sophie |
| Department | Public Policy MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2009/chandrasekharan_sandhya.pdf |
Visit the CEU Library.
© 2007-2021, Central European University