Sustainability has become a serious issue that organizations, individuals, and governments all around the world are grappling with. Professor and Dean Razvan Mustata of Babes-Bolyai University delves into the role of universities and the effects of their sustainable curriculum by taking a closer look at how Romania is preparing for a greener, smarter, and more sustainable future—one classroom at a time.

Related Research: Razvan V. Mustata & Carmen Giorgiana Bonaci & Cristina Hintea & Bogdana Neamtu, 2013. “Business Education For Sustainable Development: The Case of Romanian Universities,” The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies – Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(Special 7), pages 802-818, November.

Sustainability in academia

Sustainability is no longer a buzzword— it has become a call to action for governments, corporations, organizations and universities all around the world. As rapid industrialization reshapes the planet and the ripple effects of global crises hit harder every day, businesses are left grappling with a crucial question: how do we grow without leaving the planet and society worse off? 

The key is in our education establishments. Universities are called to shape their students with a more sustainable and forward-thinking curriculum to repair the current crisis our world is facing. 

Romanian universities are stepping up to meet this challenge head-on. Among them, the Universitaria Consortium, a network of the country’s top higher education institutions, is leading the way by integrating sustainability into their programs. From redefining curricula to fostering innovative thinking, these universities are equipping students to tackle the pressing issues of tomorrow. This study, conducted by Prof. and Dean Razvan Mustata of Babes-Bolyai University, stresses the role universities play, and the challenges and opportunities faced by universities all around the world.

From crisis to curriculum

The UN General Assembly defines sustainable development “as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations”. This definition has sparked a lot of controversies as it is not specific enough to hold universities or companies accountable when they are promoting ‘sustainable development’. Indeed, organizations appear to interpret it in their own ways, making this concept devoid of meaning. 

However, universities are pivotal in this environmental crisis we are facing today. This definition must be used to go beyond the status quo, stress the need for innovation, and equip the future business leaders of the 21^st century with the knowledge to push change in the business world. With the rise of technological advancements and globalization, a country’s competitive edge increasingly depends on the quality of its education system and its ability to produce highly skilled professionals who can drive high-end industries and exhibit entrepreneurial initiative.

Sustainability in syllabi

This study focused on the sustainable courses offered at these institutions and how specific they were and whether they were mandatory for students to graduate. Two types of courses were identified: Partial and Standalone sustainability-focused courses. Partial courses consisted of topics related to sustainable development that constituted only a small portion of the corresponding course syllabus, while standalone courses were fully dedicated to sustainable development topics.

Ethics courses emerged as a recurring theme, with popular courses such as Business Ethics, Professional Ethics, and Ethics in Public Administration. However, the majority of courses incorporate only minor sustainability elements, often as secondary components. These topics are rarely framed explicitly within the broader context of sustainable development or its interconnected dimensions. This fragmented approach runs the risk of diluting the importance of sustainability and failing to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of its relevance to their fields of study and professional practice.

From fragmentation to integration

Romanian universities face significant challenges in fully integrating sustainability into their educational frameworks. As mentioned above, curricula often remain fragmented, with sustainability topics treated as secondary additions rather than core components. This piecemeal approach limits students’ ability to understand the interconnected nature of sustainable development and its relevance across disciplines. Moreover, this study highlights that early exposure to sustainability principles is lacking, leaving students without a strong foundation to build upon throughout their academic journeys. Transparency also poses a major hurdle, as many universities fail to clearly communicate their sustainability initiatives or course offerings. Universities are called to provide comprehensive and user-friendly information about sustainability-related programs on their websites to attract students, enhance stakeholder trust, and better reflect universities’ commitment to addressing global and local challenges.

Despite these barriers, Romanian higher education is uniquely positioned to become a leader in sustainability education by embracing both global standards and local business realities. A key step forward is to embed sustainability more deeply across all core curricula, ensuring that students in every field graduate with a comprehensive understanding of its significance. In parallel, the creation of standalone programs dedicated to sustainability can offer specialized pathways for those eager to drive transformative change. 

Collaboration is another avenue for growth, as partnerships with industries, government bodies, and international institutions can facilitate the exchange of best practices and resources. Such initiatives would not only accelerate innovation but also equip students with practical skills and global perspectives. 

Universities forming future leaders

Universities play a pivotal role in fostering the knowledge and skills needed to address global challenges and drive positive change. By aligning education with the realities of the modern world, universities can prepare students to balance economic growth with social and environmental responsibility.

To achieve this, it is vital to adopt a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes comprehensive curriculum reform, greater transparency, and collaborative partnerships. Universities must continue to innovate, ensuring their programs meet the demands of a sustainable future while engaging stakeholders through accessible and impactful communication. Together, educators, policymakers, and industries can build a framework that not only serves national priorities but also contributes meaningfully to global sustainability efforts.

Professor and Dean Razvan Mustata

Useful Links :

• Link up with Prof. Răzvan V. Mustață on LinkedIn
• Read a related article: Education: A change-maker in sustainability transformation

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