Environmental engineering education

Environmental engineering education, sustainability and the concept of sustainable development have become important components and issues of many engineering debates in recent times. Environmental and sustainability objectives have already received wide acceptance by the engineering profession in both local and international arenas, and have been put forward as a normal requirement of any engineering code of practice. However, accepting these objectives is only one step in the right direction, and the real concern lies in their practical implementation, which is the great challenge that lies ahead for the engineering profession in the new millennium. The paper endeavours to raise, address and discuss some issues and topics, which are of tremendous importance to this debate. Historical perspectives of the emergence of sustainability and the protection of the environment are presented. Some concepts, definitions and approaches to engineering and the engineering practice are presented and considered. Also, fundamental elements of engineering curricula that intend to place particular emphasis on the environment and sustainability are aired and discussed in this paper.