Post-Pandemic Environmental Awareness in Higher Education: Investigating Its Impact on Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Across Demographics

Piki Setri Pernantah, Muhammad Aliman, Dina Siti Logayah, Marleni Marleni

Abstract


The development of students’ environmental knowledge and attitudes is crucial because it significantly influences learning. However, few studies have examined these foundational aspects, particularly in the post-COVID-19 context. This study examines environmental awareness through the dimensions of environmental knowledge and pro-environmental attitudes, analyzing variations based on gender, duration of study, and academic discipline. Data were collected from university students using a survey method. The sampling technique employed was purposive sampling, involving 547 students enrolled in the Environmental Education course at the University of Riau in Pekanbaru, Indonesia. The findings indicate that students' environmental knowledge is classified as "high," whereas their environmental attitudes are "moderate." A positive correlation was found between environmental knowledge and attitudes, explaining 6.6% of the variance in attitudes. Gender-based differences were significant, but study duration and academic discipline did not show significant effects.  These findings highlight the importance of fostering environmental knowledge and attitudes in the post-pandemic context, emphasizing the role of higher education in promoting pro-environmental behaviors and integrating sustainability into the learning process.

Keywords


Disaster ; Preparedness of the Students

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