On Monday 11 December, Professor Maurits Van Rooijen, President of the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, took part in a distinguished panel at the Environmental Education in Higher Education session at COP28 Green Education Hub. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the UAE Ministry of Education and UNESCO, aimed to advance discussions on climate education through the Green Education Partnership Framework.

The panel, designed to promote environmental literacy and awareness within higher education, showcased best practices, empowered students to be environmentally responsible leaders, and fostered collaboration between higher education institutions, environmental organizations, and government agencies.

During the panel discussion, Professor Maurits underscored the critical need to integrate environmental and sustainability issues into teaching. Advocating for alignment among stakeholders, he stressed the importance of cooperation, urging university leadership to collaborate with teaching staff in embedding sustainability into courses. Moreover, Professor Maurits highlighted the pivotal role of faculty and students in greening curricula, noting their positive response to external agency requirements and the university's guidelines.

He observed a growing trend among students seeking meaning beyond employment, emphasising a desire for a positive impact on the world through their studies. The collaboration with external partners, such as the University of Europe for Applied Sciences' partnership with DHL, illustrated the real-world application of environmental responsibility and emphasized the significance of practical engagement beyond traditional textbooks.