Green ICT in Business Information Technology Education: A Practice-Based Approach

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital technologies has intensified the environmental footprint of the information and communication technology sector, while simultaneously positioning digital solutions as key enablers of sustainable development. This tension creates an urgent need to reconsider how future information technology professionals are educated. The purpose of this reflective practice paper is to describe and critically reflect on how Green Information and Communication Technology principles are embedded into Business Information Technology education at a university of applied sciences.
The paper draws on three course implementations conducted during 2025–2026, involving 152 bachelor-level students. Student perspectives were collected through mandatory discussion-based reflection tasks completed on the institutional online learning platform. The reflections explored students' views on the role of Green ICT in professional practice, the responsibilities of ICT professionals, and the relevance of sustainability for their future careers.
Observations from course implementations indicate that students increasingly recognize the environmental implications of digital solutions and begin to connect sustainability with their emerging professional identity. Integrating sustainability into disciplinary teaching appears to strengthen both technical competence and ethical awareness.
The paper concludes that sustainable education in the digital era does not necessarily require large-scale curriculum reform, but rather a systematic integration of sustainability into everyday teaching practices. These practice-based experiences provide insights for higher education institutions seeking to align digital education with environmental responsibility and long-term societal needs