Bridging the knowledge gap: capacity building and education on antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Purpose The paper explores how the development of sustainability competences as key components in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) education can contribute to the implementation of AMR policies in practice. Design/methodology/approach Higher education is key to promoting sustainability, including sustainable health. Meanwhile, its role and impact are often complicated by unclear educational objectives and a lack of effective strategies. Interdisciplinary, competence-centred education provides a way to address these gaps. AMR presents a sustainability challenge that impacts health, food security and healthcare systems. Using transformative learning theory and a One Health approach, we conducted two participatory research workshops at Zimbabwean universities with researchers and students. The workshops applied UNESCO's sustainability competencies to explore how participants discussed AMR and how these competencies were expressed in practice. Findings Findings indicate that effective AMR education and policy implementation include a multifaceted approach, focusing on interdisciplinary collaborations. Efforts need to go beyond minimising antimicrobial use and engage communities and farmers in addressing everyday economic and social challenges. Integrating interdisciplinary collaborations throughout higher education becomes key in creating sustainable and effective AMR education and policy implementation. Originality/value The paper contributes original insights on how sustainability competencies can structure AMR education and provide educational objectives for the often underdeveloped aspect of AMR policy. Competence-focused health education can enable the implementation of policy into practice in ways that are contextually relevant and sensitive to local conditions.