Abstract

AVILES COYOLI, Katia Lorena; PEREZ ARMENDARIZ, Beatriz  and  ROSANO ORTEGA, Genoveva. Relationship between societal learning variables and sustainable development: The case of the Instituto Tecnológico de Tláhuac, D.F., Mexico. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2014, vol.30, n.4, pp.407-416. ISSN 0188-4999.

The number of students in higher technological education in Mexico is an important part of the national enrollment in this field. The learning competencies in sustainable development that future professionals acquire, will contribute to the strengthening society in a more just and balanced manner. The objective of this research was to know the competencies acquired by the students of The Technological Institute of Tlahuac, who studied the Sustainable Development subjects through the Sustainability Culture Index (SCI). Surveys were conducted (n = 254) to students majoring in Computer Engineering. Electronics Engineering. Mechatronics Engineering. and Architecture. SCI was generated with values from 0 to 10 on the expertise of four factors: (1) the sustainability. (2) the environmental dimension. (3) the social dimension. and (4) the economic dimension. with three variables: a) professional vision and sensitivity. b) life style and actions in environmental care. and c) acquired competencies in sustainable development. Results showed no significant differences in the four factors of study, with an SCI less than 7. The average SCI that stands out in acquired competency is with a value of 4.27. Regarding to gender, there are no significant differences in SCI with ranging values from 4.28 to 7.7. The education of sustainable development in Mexico is still in its early stages. The acquisition of this field's competency should be strengthened, if it's expected to have professionals who possess a critical thinking in relation to sustainability.

Keywords : competencies; sustainability culture; higher education.