An Assessment of Postgraduate Students' Perceptions and Engagement with Sustainable Development Practices in Lahore: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Actions

Abstract

The purpose of the current descriptive study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainable development among postgraduate students. The study focused on all postgraduate students enrolled in universities in Lahore as the population of interest. To gather data, a self-reported questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 500 students selected from two randomly chosen universities. The students were selected based on their gender and level of education. Statistical analyses, including T-tests, means, and standard deviations, were used to evaluate significant differences among variables. The results were presented in a table format and appropriately analyzed. The findings of the study indicated that postgraduate students had a substantial level of knowledge regarding sustainable development Notably, Ph.D. students scored significantly higher in knowledge than MPhil students. Additionally, the study revealed that postgraduate students held positive attitudes towards sustainable development, and their attitudes were statistically significant. Furthermore, the study found that postgraduate students demonstrated significant behaviors aligned with sustainable development goals. In all three variables (knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors), PhD students consistently scored higher than MPhil students. The study's findings suggest the importance of integrating sustainable development education into higher education programs, which holds significance for policymakers and curriculum developers. Recommendations can be found in the report's relevant section.