Title: Perceptions of a green university: an exploratory study among students

Authors: Jie Chen; Kara Chan

Addresses: David C. Lam Institute for East-West Studies, HKBU, Hong Kong; School of Economics, UNSW Sydney, Australia ' Department of Communication Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

Abstract: This study aims at exploring perceptions of a green university among its students. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 postgraduate and undergraduate students at a green campus in Germany through face-to-face interaction or through email. The interview questions were formulated following Han and Chan (2013). Green operation, green lifestyle and content delivery/assessments were perceived as the main attributes of green universities. Participants believed that both society and they themselves would benefit from a green campus. Participants perceived that student-oriented environmental activities and community promotions were insufficient on campus. Students from the green campus are expected to serve as role models in the community for green initiatives. Higher education faculties should also consider integrating green initiatives in curriculum designs. This study provides first-hand qualitative evidence from one of the top-performing green universities in the world. It provides insights for higher education administrators for the building as well as evaluation of environmental management systems for educational institutes.

Keywords: green university; environmental assessment; qualitative research; Germany.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHES.2021.120950

International Journal of Higher Education and Sustainability, 2021 Vol.3 No.4, pp.267 - 281

Received: 01 Dec 2020
Accepted: 08 Feb 2021
Published online: 18 Feb 2022 *

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