This project (SEA-ASIA) aims at enhancing integration of environmental considerations in planning and decision-making processes at national and international/regional levels through strengthening higher level education on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in the partner countries Bangladesh, Vietnam and Lao PDR. The project meets pressing needs to reduce pollution and natural resource depletion in these countries. It will be done to strengthen universities’ capacity to offer high quality master level courses and programs, and link up education with policy and practice. Students graduating from these programs will assume positions in government agencies and can thus address environmental issues by use of SEA in strategic planning and decision-making in policies, plans and programs. This project is novel since it is the first of its kind. It builds on existing contacts in the region and between the EU HEIs in Denmark, Portugal and Sweden. University of Gothenburg in Sweden is the lead university, but the project builds on a strong shared ownership among the 9 universities included in the consortium. Through 8 comprehensive work packages the project creates innovative activities and approaches (problem based learning, strengthening education-policy interaction and the role of institutions in SEA etc.) that are much needed in the Asia region. In the absence of this project (SEA-ASIA), this academic capacity would most probably not have been built. The project thus expects to create added values in terms of strong synergies between SEA practitioners in government agencies and SEA educators in HEIs, and sharing of experiences and lessons across the partner countries. Strong features of the project include transfer of EU knowledge and practice on SEA course structures, curricula, teaching methodologies, and exchange with policy and practice, as well as sharing of experiences within the Asia region.
Overall objective: Strengthened environmental integration in strategic planning through high quality higher-level education on SEA.Specific objectives: Enhance the quality of academic education for SEA through development of courses, modules, methods and tools; Improve regional professional academic exchange on SEA; and strengthen environmental assessment practices with a strong focus on engaging governments, business and civil society at regional, national and international level.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has developed into a useful approach to assess policies, plans and programs from an environmental point of view, and to suggest appropriate environmental management measures. Arguably this is a good development, but it places high demands on countries’ capacity to practise SEA appropriately. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are key actors to build the necessary capacity for adequate SEA practice in countries.
<< Background >> Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has developed into a useful approach to assess policies, plans and programs from an environmental point of view, and to suggest appropriate environmental management measures. Arguably this is a good development, but it places high demands on countries’ capacity to practise SEA appropriately. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are key actors to build the necessary capacity for adequate SEA practice in countries. << Objectives >> Overall objective: Strengthened environmental integration in strategic planning through high quality higher-level education on SEA.Specific objectives: Enhance the quality of academic education for SEA through development of courses, modules, methods and tools; Improve regional professional academic exchange on SEA; and strengthen environmental assessment practices with a strong focus on engaging governments, business and civil society at regional, national and international level. << Implementation >> Nine universities from six countries are included in the Project:Coordinating Institution: ■University of Gothenburg, SwedenPartners: Denmark: ■Aalborg UniversityPortugal: ■Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de LisboaBangladesh:■Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technical University■Technology University and Jahangirnagar UniversityLao PDR: ■National University of Laos ■Savannakhet Univ.Vietnam: ■Thuyloi University ■Ho Chi Minh City Univ of Natural Resources << Results >> The Project has resulted in e.g.:●5 new and 7 updated SEA courses (incl new curricula and modules) of which 10 are accredited.●12 courses were piloted, and 14 courses conducted to date.●134 teachers trained.●To date 290 students have taken the courses, 95% rated them useful and satisfactory●8 master thesis studies are initiated due to the project.●182 non-university individuals have been trained.●All partner universities have introduced PBL in their teaching (also in other courses)