Learning by Doing: Engaging Students in Real-World Sustainability

The ‘Students Doing Good Challenge’ at Murdoch University is a collaborative initiative that engages students from Perth’s four public universities (Murdoch University, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University and University of Western Australia) to tackle real-world sustainability challenges and aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This annual, multi-university event, now in its fifth year, partners with local entities, such as the City of Fremantle, to provide a practical platform for students from diverse disciplines. Through this initiative, students develop innovative solutions for sustainable urban development (this year, focusing on the future development of the Fremantle City Centre, via the Fremantle City Plan) to deepen their understanding of sustainability and enhancing their readiness to become responsible leaders.

During the 2024 challenge, held across two days, 50 students collaborated to reimagine the future development of Fremantle City Centre, focusing on themes like food security, energy, and transportation. Students, grouped into teams and guided by industry and academic mentors, used open-source technology to create 3D maps and prepare pitches for their proposed solutions. These were then presented to a panel of judges, fostering a competitive yet educational atmosphere that not only hones practical problem-solving skills but also builds a community of young leaders equipped to drive sustainable change.

The ‘Students Doing Good Challenge’ seamlessly aligns with Murdoch’s sustainability strategy, particularly its Ngala kwop biddi strategy, which focuses on educating students about environmental challenges and sustainable development principles. This initiative exemplifies the University’s commitment to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) by actively engaging students in real-world sustainability projects. By partnering with local organisations, the challenge provides practical, hands-on experience that reinforces the university’s goals of fostering student agency in sustainability and driving community-oriented sustainable development.

One of the primary challenges in implementing the initiative was coordinating across different universities and curriculum frameworks, especially given that the 2024 conveners from Murdoch University were new to managing such a complex event. The planning phase involved extensive deliberation to finalise the format of the challenge, highlighting the difficulties of achieving consensus among diverse stakeholders with varying opinions. Additionally, engaging students in extracurricular activities during a time of increasing financial pressures presented further obstacles. These challenges were met with meticulous planning and by emphasising the significance of addressing real-life issues, which increased student interest and participation.

Organisations looking to replicate Murdoch University’s success with a multi-university sustainability challenge should focus on the following strategies:

• Thorough Planning: Invest time in detailed and comprehensive planning to ensure smooth execution and to anticipate potential challenges.
• Real-World Integration: Encourage student participation by focusing the challenge on real-world issues that resonate with their daily lives and future professional endeavours.
• Collaborative Framework: Foster a collaborative environment across different institutions and disciplines to enrich the learning experience and outcomes.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Implement robust mechanisms for gathering and responding to participant feedback to continually refine and improve the initiative.

For more information about the ‘Students Doing Good Challenge’ or to get involved contact Anisha Fernandes da Rocha at Murdoch University via email at anisha.fernandesdarocha@murdoch.edu.au.