Article: Delivering bioeconomy through creative learning: Portuguese higher education curricula context Journal: International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology (IJARGE) 2025 Vol.20 No.6 pp.37 - 60 Abstract: The bioeconomy, also known as the 'economy for life', is crucial in addressing global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity. Higher education institutions must adopt innovative, interdisciplinary, and creative learning approaches to prepare students for sustainable economic growth. This study assessed students' self-perceived knowledge of bioeconomy through creative learning in higher education curricula, evaluating familiarity, value perception, and willingness to learn more. The survey conducted for 1st-year students from economy-related courses in four HEIs in Portugal resulted in 312 valid responses. Results showed no significant association between bioeconomy knowledge and participation in creative projects due to a lack of offers and low awareness. Interestingly, although students are unfamiliar with the bioeconomy concept, they believe in its value and importance. A key aspect involves understanding the perceptions of outcome importance and the skill level that can be achieved. The transformation is vital for training decision-makers capable of supporting sustainability challenges. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Delivering bioeconomy through creative learning: Portuguese higher education curricula context

Authors: Valentina Chkoniya; Raquel Meneses; Elisabete Simões Vieira; Rui Pedro Marques; José Luís Tavares Pires Dias dos Reis; Nuno Moutinho; Ana Torres; Paula Saraiva Carvalho

Addresses: GOVCOPP, ISCA-UA, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal ' School of Economics an Management and INESC-TEC LIAAD, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-464 Porto, Portugal ' GOVCOPP, ISCA-UA, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal ' GOVCOPP, ISCA-UA, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal ' LIACC, University of Maia, Av. Carlos de Oliveira Campos, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal ' School of Economics and Management and CITCEM, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-464 Porto, Portugal ' Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; RISE-Health, Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal; Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal ' RISE-Health, Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal

Abstract: The bioeconomy, also known as the 'economy for life', is crucial in addressing global challenges like climate change and resource scarcity. Higher education institutions must adopt innovative, interdisciplinary, and creative learning approaches to prepare students for sustainable economic growth. This study assessed students' self-perceived knowledge of bioeconomy through creative learning in higher education curricula, evaluating familiarity, value perception, and willingness to learn more. The survey conducted for 1st-year students from economy-related courses in four HEIs in Portugal resulted in 312 valid responses. Results showed no significant association between bioeconomy knowledge and participation in creative projects due to a lack of offers and low awareness. Interestingly, although students are unfamiliar with the bioeconomy concept, they believe in its value and importance. A key aspect involves understanding the perceptions of outcome importance and the skill level that can be achieved. The transformation is vital for training decision-makers capable of supporting sustainability challenges.

Keywords: innovative learning; decision-making; sustainability; education; bioeconomy; transdisciplinary thinking; creative learning; sustainability skills; transformation; interdisciplinary projects; CL4Bio.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2025.150505

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2025 Vol.20 No.6, pp.37 - 60

Received: 29 Nov 2024
Accepted: 17 Apr 2025
Published online: 15 Dec 2025 *

Title: Delivering bioeconomy through creative learning: Portuguese higher education curricula context

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