HIGHLIGHTS

• Direct Measurement of Competence: Thammasat university has successfully conducted a comprehensive, evidence-based Sustainability Literacy Assessment across all major stakeholder groups (students, staff, faculty, and executives), confirming institutional-wide engagement with measuring sustainability competence, as noted in the methodology’s guidance.
• Identified Knowledge Gaps for Action: The assessment pinpointed a critical knowledge deficit in the Environmental Dimension, which received the lowest correct score (65.11% in central functions). This evidence directly justifies the need for urgent and targeted educational intervention.
• Data-Informed Strategic Commitment: Findings are explicitly linked to future action, informing the decision to develop and deploy targeted educational interventions (e.g., integrating environmental concepts into curricula) to close specific knowledge gaps identified in the fact-based test.

Thammasat University, through its SDG Mission Unit under Quality Development Division, has undertaken a comprehensive Sustainability Literacy Assessment across its faculties, colleges, and central university functions. This initiative, conducted during Academic Year 2024 for the faculty/college level and the central university level, aims to thoroughly gauge the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sustainability among its diverse stakeholders, including executives, academic staff, support staff, and students.

The data gathered from the survey will serve as a vital roadmap to develop and enhance sustainability knowledge for all stakeholders, ensuring that Thammasat University can continuously and effectively drive its long-term sustainability policies and strategies.

Key Findings from the Assessment

The self-assessment section revealed a generally moderate to high level of understanding (Knowledge), particularly concerning basic Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the impact of waste. This positive trend extended to Attitude, where most personnel agreed that climate change is an urgent issue and that sustainability knowledge should be shared with family and community.

However, the assessment identified critical areas needing targeted intervention:

• Practice Shows Variation: A high degree of variation was observed in the Practice dimension. For instance, support staff across university functions reported engaging in supporting sustainable businesses/organizations “often”, while staff in faculties/colleges/institutes reported engaging in this activity only “sometimes”. Conversely, placing importance on diversity, equity, and human rights was reported as being practiced “regularly” by the majority.
• Knowledge Gaps in Critical Areas (Fact-Based Test): A multiple-choice knowledge test highlighted significant knowledge gaps, particularly in the Environmental Dimension:
  • Climate & Carbon: Many still misunderstand that climate change is solely due to natural factors (269 respondents from faculties/colleges) or incorrectly define Carbon Footprint as the volume of oxygen released.
  • Social and Economic Literacy: Misconceptions remain regarding the interconnectedness of SDGs, with many unaware that Gender Equality or Reduced Inequalities are core UN development goals. Similarly, errors were noted regarding the misconception that economic growth under the SDGs disregards social and environmental inequalities.

Addressing Challenges and Charting the Future

The assessment explicitly identified the primary obstacles to implementing sustainability action within the university community:

1. Lack of motivation (highest barrier in faculties/colleges: 29.0%).
2. Lack of knowledge and understanding (highest barrier in university functions: 31.7%).
3. Budgetary constraints.

The need for a targeted approach is clear, especially given the disconnect between a high self-rated attitude and low scores on specific environmental knowledge questions.

Recommendations for Action

Thammasat University is leveraging these data to deploy strategic interventions:

• Integrated Curriculum: Prioritize the integration of environmental concepts into all core curricula, explicitly addressing widespread misunderstandings around the carbon footprint and renewable energy.
• Targeted Training: Design and launch dedicated training modules that focus on closing the identified knowledge gaps in the Social and Economic dimensions, emphasizing that quality employment and fair wages are inseparable from economic sustainability.
• Incentivizing Action: Develop robust motivation and engagement programs to address the “lack of motivation” barrier, encouraging the transition from a positive attitude to consistent, daily sustainable practices.

By using this evidence-based approach, Thammasat University reaffirms its commitment to educating the next generation in sustainability, ensuring that knowledge translates into impactful action for a more sustainable future.