Abstract:
Sustainability Education (SE) is recognised as a lifelong learning process aiming towards sustainable
development which spreads beyond the limitations of formal education. In order to ensure proper
commitment towards sustainable development through sustainable construction (SC) concept, quantity
surveyor (QS) as a leading professional in the construction industry should go through a proper SE. Even
though certain HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) in Sri Lanka have incorporated SE up to a certain
extent into their curriculum, their effectiveness is questionable. Addressing this gap, the research analyses
perceived importance, level of SE received and the effectiveness of SE of Sri Lankan QSs while identifying
the knowledge areas where improvements are required. A comprehensive literature review was executed
identifying knowledge areas to be included in SE of QSs globally. Through a survey of experts, 39 knowledge
areas related to quantity surveying education were identified under six main categories considering the
local context. Even though Relative Important Index (RII) values denoted that SE is substantially important
to QSs, overall SE level of Sri Lankan QSs was found to be in ‘moderate level’. QSs perceived their SE more
on ‘economic sustainability’ as it exhibited the highest mean and RII values. Moreover, the results found
that curriculum contribution to deliver SE is currently lower and QSs gain more knowledge on sustainability
through industry practice than through formal education. The created matrix plot indicated that certain
knowledge areas require further attention in curricula in HEIs which is revealed as the strategy that needs
improvements.
