Perceived Knowledge, Perception and Readiness of University Students Regarding Sustainability Education and Practice

Background: Healthcare students and practitioners should develop appropriate knowledge, attitudes, and practice of sustainability. This study examined students’ perceived knowledge, perceptions, and readiness toward sustainability education and practices at a private healthcare university in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Methods: Foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate students at the university were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study conducted using a validated questionnaire administered online. Students were invited to participate through institutional emails and social media platforms. Quantitative (Likert-type scale and multiple-choice items) data and responses to open-ended questions were collected. Results: The study recruited 427 respondents (women: 328, Malaysian: 351). The majority (83.6%) were undergraduate students, and 81% had not taken any courses related to sustainability. With respect to environmental health and planetary health, 92.3% and 87.2% rated their knowledge level as fair or good, respectively. Climate change, pollution, and deforestation were mentioned by the respondents as key challenges to sustainability. Workshops or seminars were preferred for learning these topics. Conserving water/energy, using reusable materials, and reducing plastic use were the most common measures employed by the respondents. Their levels of concern about current sustainability challenges were moderate. Conclusions: The findings can serve as a reference for the university’s efforts to integrate sustainability into its curriculum and promote sustainable practices among students. By identifying knowledge gaps and attitudes, this study can help in developing targeted educational strategies and institutional policies that other institutions may also consider. Similar studies in other universities are required.