Master of Arts in Education for Sustainability [MA(EfS)] was launched by The Hong Kong Institute of Education under the Department of Science and Environmental Studies. Some courses will be taught by oversea scholars from The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) (Australia). This programme emphasises subject knowledge, innovative pedagogical practices, flexible teaching environments and a critical approach to thinking about educational and sustainability issues. Graduates of various disciplines, in-service teachers, local and international non-governmental organisation (NGO) workers, government officials and private sector consultants are welcome.

Programme Aims

• To provide students with the opportunity to develop their recognition of the nature, scope, purposes and processes of education, training and capacity building for sustainability;
• To develop skills in utilizing research/evidence based methods for professional practice in Education;
• To encourage students to apply these understandings and processes in their own professional settings and be able to evaluate their actions in a critical and reflective way;
• develop research capacity for the professional community of educators, trainers and development practitioners concerns with sustainability issues in Hong Kong, China and internationally; and
• To provide enhanced career opportunities for professionals in education, training and capacity building for sustainable development and to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.

Programme Structure

The programme comprises 24 credit points (cps). Students normally take one to two years to complete the programme.

Programme curriculum

The programme comprises 24 credit points (cps).

• Sustainability Studies: An Overview
• Global and Local Issues in Education for Sustainability
• Learning and Teaching in EfS
• Assessment and Evaluation in EfS, Theory and Practice
• Research in Education for Sustainability
• Sustainable Campus Development
• Thesis Writing Course and Research Thesis Project on EfS

Estimated demand for the new programme

At present, many workers and teachers who do not possess an undergraduate degree in an environmental/sustainability-related field are involved in sustainability practices. In a recent survey conducted by the SES and SSC departments, teachers, NGO staff and private consultancies expressed an interest in having the opportunity to formally learn about sustainability issues to enhance the effectiveness of environmental/sustainability teaching in the school curriculum and other school activities.

There is a need for Hong Kong teachers who do not possess a relevant degree to upgrade their qualifications to become teachers with solid environmental and sustainability backgrounds. At present, there is no such opportunity for them to pursue such a Master’s degree programme in Hong Kong.

This new programme will also provide an opportunity for other professionals, such as members of NGOs or other organisations, to provide training to teachers and students in the area of EfS. There are a number of schemes that provide support and funding for schools in the environmental field, such as the Hong Kong Green School Award (in which approximately 30-40% of schools have taken part), the Student Environmental Protection Ambassador Scheme and the Minor Works funding programme (used for green roofs, solar panels and energy reduction in schools and community facilities).