EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABILITY: CURRICULAR EVALUTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

As part of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, education plays a strategic role in promoting sustainability and global citizenship. This study was carried out by master's students in the context of an assessment proposal in the Data Processing and Analysis course from the Master's Degree in Organizational Management - Business Management Branch at ISCAP. The students were challenged to collect, process and analyze data and to write a scientific article as a final product. The activity aimed to integrate technical skills, critical thinking and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on Eurostat data, the relationship between education levels and the risk of poverty and social exclusion was analyzed, addressing SDG 1 (Eradication of Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The results indicate that lower levels of schooling are associated with greater socio-economic vulnerability. It was also possible to identify asymmetries between men and women with regard to education. While men are more represented at lower and secondary/vocational education levels, women stand out positively in higher education, with men being more likely to drop out at this level of education. Cluster analysis revealed regional disparities, suggesting the influence of structural factors. This work highlights the potential of pedagogical approaches oriented towards applied research, in which assessment is no longer just a moment of verification but becomes an opportunity to build critical, contextualized knowledge in line with education for sustainability.