Sustainability in Education
The University feels strongly about ensuring that students understand, and are concerned about, global issues of sustainable development. Our students go on to play key roles affecting and safeguarding the future of the planet. Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC) is a fundamental part of many modules across the University.
For example:
Our Foundation Year students, in all subjects across the University, are required to complete a module on Contemporary Issues, in which they study and discuss topics such as climate change and genetic modification.
In Childhood Studies, the importance of teaching sustainability to children is now being recognised. Children who grow up understanding and practicing sustainability within their family units and locally in a community can have a powerful impact on everyone’s future. Proactive children who take sustainability seriously can teach others about reducing consumption, recycling and reusing items to preserve the Earth’s resources.
Renewable Energy students have been on many field trips, including a tour by Muir and Mick from Peel Energy's wind farm on the M53, a trip to Corwen micro hydro scheme, and a visit to Spring Bank Farm who use excess power from wind and solar to make hydrogen which runs a farm vehicle.
WGU offer Funding, scholarships and bursaries and Accommodation offers for internationals
Content Accordions
The University’s active learning framework (ALF) aims to make best use of on-campus learning spaces with student focussed online learning content which can be accessed anytime. Wrexham University Academic Regulations require that all work is submitted electronically. These approaches minimise the use of resources including paper and printing for student work.
Professional Development
We're commitited to the professional development of our staff and students.
We aim to apply and implement the Education in Sustainable Development (ESD) Vision and deliver transformational education, research and innovation by:
- Providing values-based quality education that is transformative and future-oriented, where the academic, physical and emotional development of the student is central and facilitated through access to academics and opportunities for career-enhancing activities, such as volunteering, exchanges, placements and enterprise.
- Adopting a systems thinking and holistic approach to teaching through our actions, and supporting staff in delivering excellence with commitment and passion.
- Providing a healthy and engaging learning environment, indoors and outdoors, with multi-disciplinary learning opportunities and activities for students, teachers, staff, and the wider school community (i.e. the local community in which the University is situated) for fostering ecological literacy development.
- Measuring and where necessary reducing the ecological footprint of WU in such ways that invite engagement with the larger University community.
- Maintaining and enhancing WU’s drive to become a learning community where engagement and participation from all members of the school community are valued and welcomed, and partnership and collaboration for ESD is practiced.
The University plays an active role in the promotion of ESDGC in Wales. For example, academic staff are representatives on the Higher Education Future Generations Group in Wales, and on the Wales Regional Centre of Expertise in the Global RCE Network co-ordinated by the United Nations University in Japan.
Content Accordions
- Engage - Staff Conference
Professor Claire Taylor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University, presented Supporting Student Learning and Achievement: Past Success and Future Challenges at the annual Staff Engage Conference. The presentation reflected on the past year in relation to teaching and learning, and provided the key targets for the coming years. Claire demonstrated the need to align teaching to regional needs and employability. One to note is the requirement to target further environment and sustainability in the curriculum.
ESD Champions
Dr Colin Stuhlfelder
Colin has delivered housing strategy across North Wales and down to the South Wales Valleys, and he has spoken on issues ranging from anti-social behaviour to tackling issues relating to the sustainable use of resources at national and international events.
David Sprake
David spent 10 years working in engineering (contracting and consulting) projects such as power stations, road construction, sea defences, public health (fresh water), topographic surveying and structural engineering.
- Education for Sustainable Development
Dr Colin Stuhlfelder provided a fantastic, informative and engaging lecture at the recent Staff Conference. Staff from across academic and professional areas attended the hour long session to learn about how to embed sustainability into the curriculum and how to get students thinking about current political, legal and financial issues, and question whether they are right or wrong. Colin’s use of humour and the types of referencing that students have available at their finger tips was really interesting. Huge thanks to Colin, for delivering this session.
The University’s active learning framework (ALF) aims to make best use of on-campus learning spaces with student focussed online learning content which can be accessed anytime. Wrexham University Academic Regulations require that all work is submitted electronically. These approaches minimise the use of resources including paper and printing for student work.
