Providing Distance Education on Sustainability Management for Brazilian Research Professionals

The adoption of distance education has become increasingly critical in addressing global education demands. Therefore, this paper explores the design, implementation, and outcomes of the "Sustainable Development Basics" online course developed in 2024 for the SENAI (Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial which translates to "National Service for Industrial Training”) Innovation Institutes (ISIs) located in Brazil. Targeted at researchers, the course is part of the “Sustainability Management” training track, which is embedded in an applied research management training program based on the ISI core processes. Moreover, the course content was incorporated into the online platform of the Corporate University of the Industry System, which is organized and run by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry. The course structure entails a range of didactic elements, including guided self-study modules, practical exercises and assessment quizzes. These modules are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles, strategies, and frameworks, with a focus on real-world applications within industrial and research environments. The course covers key topics such as sustainability in the industry, sustainability management in Research & Technology Organizations (RTOs) and sustainability reporting standards. A notable aspect of the course and contribution to the field of distance education is the combination of learning resources such as videos and presentations with self-study exercises and quizzes to reinforce learning outcomes. Further, the distinct framing and application of learning objectives play a vital role in the facilitation of the course. This paper provides best practices for course design, discusses distinct challenges and feedback gathered by participants. Furthermore, it highlights implications for managers aiming to adopt similar distance education initiatives and underscores the importance of combining synchronous and asynchronous education methods. The paper outlines future research opportunities in distance education, namely the exploration of adaptive learning technologies and the cross-cultural applicability of course content. Our findings underscore the importance of aligning the course content with relevant industry and research challenges and leveraging digital platforms to create flexible, impactful learning experiences. Furthermore, these findings contribute to advancing the field of distance education and provide actionable guidance for practitioners aiming to address sustainability through innovative education solutions.