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Ajda Fošner | Foresight Methods for Sustainability in Higher Education

ons can use to create long-term plans that Conclusions
take advantage of new opportunities and Foresight methods offer a methodical and or-
solve future problems. This aids in establi- ganized approach to comprehending and influ-
shing specific objectives, efficient resource encing the future, which makes them crucial in
allocation, and success positioning for the advancing sustainable development. Individuals,
institution. organizations, and societies may handle uncer-
- Innovation and curriculum development: Fo- tainty, foresee dangers, and work towards a more
resight methods enable creative thinking sustainable and resilient future by putting these
and curriculum development that is in line techniques to use.
with future demands. Institutions can cre- Higher education institutions are given the
ate curricula that prepare students for the tools to be proactive, forward-thinking, and re-
occupations and problems of tomorrow by ceptive to the shifting demands of students,
recognizing emerging fields, interdisciplina- society, and the labour market. By using these
ry areas, and developing skill sets. Emerging strategies, educational institutions can establish
technologies, sustainability techniques, and themselves as significant forces for social ad-
ethical issues can all be incorporated into vancement and foster an innovative and adapt-
the curriculum. able culture within their academic communities.
- Participant involvement: The significance of Foresight techniques can be used at higher
including stakeholders in the decision-ma- education institutions in three different ways. To
king process is emphasized by foresight begin with, scenario planning can be used to im-
methods. In order to do this, debates and agine many future scenarios and evaluate their
scenario-building exercises must actively in- effects on sustainability-related concerns includ-
volve teachers, students, industry partners, ing climate change, resource management, and
legislators, and other pertinent stakehol- social fairness. Second, the Delphi method can be
ders. Institutions can make wise judgements used to involve various stakeholders, including
and guarantee the relevance and responsive- students, faculty, and outside experts, in gath-
ness of their programmes by considering a ering insights and opinions on sustainable de-
range of viewpoints. velopment priorities and strategies. The Delphi
- Lifelong learning and adaptability: The im- method is a research technique that aims to ob-
portance of lifelong learning and adaptati- tain consensus or expert opinions on a particu-
on in higher education is also highlighted lar topic through a series of structured surveys
by foresight approaches. It is essential for or questionnaires. In order to keep informed and
educational institutions to provide students proactive in their sustainability efforts, institu-
with the knowledge and attitude needed to tions can use environmental scanning to monitor
navigate an uncertain future as the rate of and analyse new trends, technologies, and best
change quickens. Using foresight methods, practises.
it is possible to include chances for conti-
nuous learning in educational programmes References
by detecting developing abilities and compe- National Intelligence Council. 2012. Global Trends 2030:
tencies. Alternative Worlds. Washington, DC: National In-
- Collaboration and partnerships: Collaboration telligence Council.
between higher education institutions, bu- Popper, R. 2008. ‘Foresight Methodology.’ In The Han-
sinesses, research organizations, and other dbook of Technology Foresight, edited by L. Georghi-
stakeholders are encouraged by foresight ou, J. Cassingena, M. Keenan, I. Miles, I. and R.
Popper, 44–88. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
methods. Institutions can use collective in- Steffen, W., W. Broadgate, L. Deutsch, O. Gaffney, and
tellect, share resources, and co-create inno- C. Ludwig. 2015. ‘The Trajectory of the Anthropo-
vative solutions to tackle complicated pro- cene: The Great Acceleration.’ The Anthropocene Re-
blems by working together. view 2 (1): 81–98.

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