The Université du Québec à Rimouski is launching a research chair in environmental education and sustainable development thanks to financial support from Desjardins. Directed by professor of education sciences Geneviève Therriault, the new chair will put forward a collaborative research approach with the school community.
The holder of the Research Chair in Environmental Education and Sustainable Development UQAR – Desjardins, Professor Geneviève Therriault, surrounded by the representative of Desjardins, Renaud Audet, and the rector of UQAR, François Deschênes.
Photo credit: Stéphane Lizotte
The UQAR – Desjardins Research Chair in Environmental Education and Sustainable Development aims to enrich knowledge, develop skills and increase the power of young people to act with regard to environmental issues. In addition, the work of the chair will make it possible to develop original and relevant educational activities in partnership with teachers in schools in the region.
UQAR’s expertise in education issues related to the environment and sustainable development is increasingly recognized, says the rector Francois Deschenes. “This new partnership will allow the University to contribute even more to the development of the regions and of Quebec. Young people are particularly aware of the importance of the environment and thanks to the work of the chair, they will be able to become concretely involved in promising educational initiatives. »
Desjardins’ financial support for this chair is part of its desire to encourage actions that promote sustainable development. “Desjardins has been a partner of UQAR for years. Our commitment to the creation of the chair in environmental education and sustainable development is one more step to train the generations of tomorrow in the preservation of our planet and the development of critical and reflective eco-citizenship”, mentions the representative from Desjardins, Renaud Audet.
The work of the chair will focus, among other things, on the study of problems specific to environmental education and sustainable development. “We are particularly interested in local issues and in promoting the most up-to-date theoretical approaches and methodologies in research. Our actions will also aim to examine the impact of educational interventions on young people at the primary and secondary levels,” explains Professor Therriault. It should be noted that the chair will support the professional development of teachers in dealing with environmental issues and sustainable development at school.
Desjardins is granting more than $540,000 in funding over five years to carry out the work of the chair. The UQAR Foundation manages the funds. Several researchers will be involved in the work of the chair, as well as undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students in the education sciences as well as in the humanities and natural sciences.
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