The Strategic Role of Higher Education in the Sustainable Development of the Caribbean

  • Bynoe Paulette University of Guyana

Abstract

Education as a process allows human beings and societies to reach their fu­llest potential, while improving their capacity to address environment and development issues (Chapter 36, Agenda 21); by reasoning therefore, higher education should be pivotal to the achievement of sustainable development of the Caribbean Re­gion. Currently, however, there are many issues that must be addressed by the Caribbean Community gover­nments and higher education institu­tions prior to the realization of such laudable goals. The purpose of this Case Study is to demystify the typo­logies of Education for Sustainable Development, examine the current sustainable development practice of the University of Guyana in respect of its academic programmes and curri­cula, institutional practice regarding resource consumption (including water, energy, and paper), research agenda, and services (including po­licy advice) to the wider society. To this end, the research strategy entai­led desk review of documents, key in­formants’ semi-structured interviews, and a survey of lecturers. The results highlight good practices can be repli­cated or scaled up, as well as gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Author Biography

Bynoe Paulette, University of Guyana

Dr. Paulette Bynoe is a Senior Lecturer and the former Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the Universi­ty of Guyana. She has a PhD in Geography (University of Sussex, UK); an MPhil in Environmental Education (University of Brad­ford); and a BSc in Geography (University of Guyana). In 2010, Dr. Bynoe was awarded a Chevening Scholarship to study the Eco­nomics of Climate Change at the Wolfson College (Cambridge University, UK). She has approximately 22 years of professional accomplishment as an inter-disciplinary trained Environmental Specialist, and teaches post-graduate and courses in communi­ty disaster risk management, environmental impact assessment, environmental research methods, and environmental resources policy. Her research interests are in environmental education, natural resources and environmental policy, sustainable liveli­hoods and climate change and disaster vulnerability. In 2015, Dr. Bynoe was awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement for her contribution to environmental education and training, re­search, and the development of policies on natural resources management. Dr. Bynoe currently serves nationally and regionally as a mem­ber of the National Steering Committee on the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility programme, as Co-Chair of the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Edu­cation Sub-Sector Committee, and Convenor of the Caribbean Examination Council Advanced Subject Panel on Green Engi­neering. She is also Guyana’s Lead Climate Change Negotiator, among others.

Published
2019-07-17
How to Cite
Paulette, B. (2019). The Strategic Role of Higher Education in the Sustainable Development of the Caribbean. Higher Education and Society Journal (ESS), 31(31), 60-90. Retrieved from https://ess.iesalc.unesco.org/index.php/ess3/article/view/111
Issue
Vol 31 No 31 (2019): Higher Education in the Caribbean
Section
Articles Thematic Dossier

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