Fostering sustainability for industrial engineering students through Lean Green design

Purpose This study aims to discuss and evaluate the transformation of an industrial engineering course through incorporating sustainability principles using the Lean green methodology, providing students with the skillset to address environmental and societal challenges in their future roles. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was used, combining qualitative feedback, quantitative pre- and post-assessments and experiential learning activities. Course components included guest speakers, student presentations, case studies and a collaborative project with an industry partner, Quantum BioPower. These elements were intentionally aligned with Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle to create a comprehensive learning experience. Given the small sample size (n = 9), the quantitative results were interpreted as exploratory and triangulated with qualitative findings; the study is therefore positioned as a mixed-methods qualitative case study, examining how sustainability principles were integrated into engineering education. Findings Pre−post assessments of a revamped course showed substantial improvements in students’ ability to articulate sustainability concepts and integrate Lean and environmental considerations into engineering decision-making. The industry-sponsored project enabled teams to recommend process-time reductions and propose sustainability-focused operational improvements. Practical implications Various components of this manuscript can help others incorporate sustainability into engineering education. Combining active learning techniques with an industry-sponsored, sustainability-based project provides a framework for other engineering educators as they prepare their students to develop a sustainability perspective in engineering practice. Originality/value This work is innovative in integrating Lean green pedagogy within a Lean course, typically taught from a pure manufacturing perspective. The manuscript provides a theoretical as well as a practical framework for sustainability-focused education. It highlights interdisciplinary teaching practices while contributing to ongoing discussions on how higher education can foster a generation of engineers dedicated to sustainable solutions. The work is distinctive in combining Lean green pedagogy with experiential, project-based learning within a core industrial engineering course, offering a transferable framework for embedding sustainability across other engineering and STEM curricula.