Quantitative validation of a proposed technical sustainability competency model: A PLS-SEM approach

The demand to enact sustainability into higher education so as to optimistically shape the wider society and biosphere has been stressed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). One of the approaches is through rethinking and revising education at all levels to c...

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Main Authors: Nasiru Mukhtar, Yusri Bin Kamin, Muhammad Sukri Bn Saud
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsus.2022.841643/full
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author Nasiru Mukhtar
Nasiru Mukhtar
Yusri Bin Kamin
Muhammad Sukri Bn Saud
author_facet Nasiru Mukhtar
Nasiru Mukhtar
Yusri Bin Kamin
Muhammad Sukri Bn Saud
author_sort Nasiru Mukhtar
collection DOAJ
description The demand to enact sustainability into higher education so as to optimistically shape the wider society and biosphere has been stressed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). One of the approaches is through rethinking and revising education at all levels to capture obvious forms of present and imminent societies on the development of sustainability knowledge, skills, perspectives and values. Several Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) have started to implement a number of facets to that effect, such as signing a climate commitment, working towards plan to make their campuses climate-neutral, and making sustainability their guiding principles and top priorities. However, analogous modifications to the curriculum are lagging behind. As a consequence, this study is set to quantitatively validate the technical sustainability competency model suitable for incorporation into Higher National Diploma electrical/electronic engineering curriculum in Nigeria. The authors used findings of their earlier work to develop a questionnaire for collecting data from 168 respondents in the study area, and consequently subject the data to descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of PLS-SEM approach. The study discovered competencies suitable for incorporation into the curriculum. This includes cognitive skills in Eco-design and Life-Cycle Assessment; Research; Modeling, Simulation and Optimization; and Recycling/Renewable Resources. The study also found suitable psychomotor skills in Sustainable production, Use of modern engineering software tools, Operation/troubleshooting of electrical machines and devices, Communication/Information and Communication Technology, and waste-to-energy technology. Appropriate attitudes/values in Engineering ethics, Occupational safety and health, and Inter-generational equity are also discovered. This research is purely quantitative in nature carried out through administering questionnaires to respondents in one geo-political zone of the country. Thus, conclusions derived from these sources rely on the genuineness of the information provided by the participants. The findings offer accreditation body as well as curriculum developers in Nigerian polytechnics with a validated model of technical sustainability competences. This could be useful in the events of curriculum upgrade or renewal to integrate sustainability.
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spelling doaj.art-e708e2a9ad95459a9a06fb3afae9fb542022-12-22T02:35:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainability2673-45242022-10-01310.3389/frsus.2022.841643841643Quantitative validation of a proposed technical sustainability competency model: A PLS-SEM approachNasiru Mukhtar0Nasiru Mukhtar1Yusri Bin Kamin2Muhammad Sukri Bn Saud3Department of Technical and Engineering Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, MalaysiaDepartment of Science and Technology Education, Bayero University, Kano, NigeriaDepartment of Technical and Engineering Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, MalaysiaDepartment of Technical and Engineering Education, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, MalaysiaThe demand to enact sustainability into higher education so as to optimistically shape the wider society and biosphere has been stressed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). One of the approaches is through rethinking and revising education at all levels to capture obvious forms of present and imminent societies on the development of sustainability knowledge, skills, perspectives and values. Several Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) have started to implement a number of facets to that effect, such as signing a climate commitment, working towards plan to make their campuses climate-neutral, and making sustainability their guiding principles and top priorities. However, analogous modifications to the curriculum are lagging behind. As a consequence, this study is set to quantitatively validate the technical sustainability competency model suitable for incorporation into Higher National Diploma electrical/electronic engineering curriculum in Nigeria. The authors used findings of their earlier work to develop a questionnaire for collecting data from 168 respondents in the study area, and consequently subject the data to descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of PLS-SEM approach. The study discovered competencies suitable for incorporation into the curriculum. This includes cognitive skills in Eco-design and Life-Cycle Assessment; Research; Modeling, Simulation and Optimization; and Recycling/Renewable Resources. The study also found suitable psychomotor skills in Sustainable production, Use of modern engineering software tools, Operation/troubleshooting of electrical machines and devices, Communication/Information and Communication Technology, and waste-to-energy technology. Appropriate attitudes/values in Engineering ethics, Occupational safety and health, and Inter-generational equity are also discovered. This research is purely quantitative in nature carried out through administering questionnaires to respondents in one geo-political zone of the country. Thus, conclusions derived from these sources rely on the genuineness of the information provided by the participants. The findings offer accreditation body as well as curriculum developers in Nigerian polytechnics with a validated model of technical sustainability competences. This could be useful in the events of curriculum upgrade or renewal to integrate sustainability.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsus.2022.841643/fullHigher National Diplomaincorporation of sustainabilityPLS-SEM approachtechnical sustainabilitycompetency model
spellingShingle Nasiru Mukhtar
Nasiru Mukhtar
Yusri Bin Kamin
Muhammad Sukri Bn Saud
Quantitative validation of a proposed technical sustainability competency model: A PLS-SEM approach
Frontiers in Sustainability
Higher National Diploma
incorporation of sustainability
PLS-SEM approach
technical sustainability
competency model
title Quantitative validation of a proposed technical sustainability competency model: A PLS-SEM approach
title_full Quantitative validation of a proposed technical sustainability competency model: A PLS-SEM approach
title_fullStr Quantitative validation of a proposed technical sustainability competency model: A PLS-SEM approach
title_full_unstemmed Quantitative validation of a proposed technical sustainability competency model: A PLS-SEM approach
title_short Quantitative validation of a proposed technical sustainability competency model: A PLS-SEM approach
title_sort quantitative validation of a proposed technical sustainability competency model a pls sem approach
topic Higher National Diploma
incorporation of sustainability
PLS-SEM approach
technical sustainability
competency model
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsus.2022.841643/full
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