More than 50 percent of the subject programs at higher education institutions in the Republic of Serbia need significant revisions to better incorporate aspects of the circular economy and sustainable development, according to the results of the “Analysis of the Actual State of the Representation of the Circular Economy at Universities in the Republic of Serbia.” The analysis was presented at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy and was conducted as part of the project “Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Local Communities by Applying the Principles of Circular Economy in the Republic of Serbia,” which is implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The analysis, conducted and presented by Dr. Maja B. Đolić, assistant professor at the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, included 12 universities — 7 state and 5 private — encompassing 56 faculties and analyzing 120 undergraduate and master’s study programs. The results indicated that only ten percent of the subjects do not require program changes, while about 40 percent require program adjustments.
The basic 12 aspects of the circular economy, which formed the basis for subject classification and qualitative analysis, were: prevention and environmental pollution, recycling and waste management, new materials, technological innovations in bioprocess engineering, sustainable production and design, green architecture, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, climate change, digitalization, green business models, and sustainability policies.
The courses in the field of Sustainability Policy, New Materials and Green Architecture had the highest qualitative rating, while Digitization and Renewable Energy Sources, as key aspects of the Circular Economy, were the least recognized and represented in higher education curricula.
“Understanding the importance of ecological balance, social justice, and economic stability is essential in the education of every individual, from kindergarten through higher education. To enhance knowledge and awareness about the circular economy, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has foreseen a campaign to establish cooperation with higher education institutions to explore introducing new courses or modifying existing ones at both undergraduate and master’s levels,” stated Sandra Dokić, State Secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Petar Uskoković, Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, emphasized the importance of systemic education and an integrated approach that includes scientific fields, disciplines, and institutional support. Aleksandra Vučinić from the Ministry of Education and Culture discussed the Circular Economy Development Program, while Ana Mitić Radulović from UNDP presented calls for circular vouchers and the green transition of the Serbian economy.
The presentation was attended by deans, vice-deans for teaching, professors, and students from faculties interested in incorporating topics such as circular economy, sustainable development, and climate change into their curricula.
