Author Information
Barbara Barabaschi, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, ItalyRoberta Virtuani, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
Abstract
This paper examines how higher education can meet the evolving expectations of Generation Z students by designing a sustainable educational environment. Drawing from management and education studies, we propose a three-pillar model focused on innovative teaching methods, collaboration with the business world, and inclusive physical and relational spaces. The study adopts a qualitative approach, analyzing data from student satisfaction surveys and interviews with academic coordinators across seven Master of Science programs in management at a leading Italian university. Findings highlight strong alignment between student expectations and institutional practices. Students appreciate interactive learning, career-oriented opportunities, and accessible support services. Coordinators emphasize experiential methods, partnerships with companies, and student-centered infrastructures as essential to long-term learning and development. The paper contributes a holistic and actionable model grounded in the Sustainable Learning in Education (SLE) framework, offering practical insights for higher education institutions seeking to foster meaningful, future-oriented learning experiences for Generation Z.
Paper Information
Conference: PCE2025Stream: Learning Experiences
This paper is part of the PCE2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Barabaschi B., & Virtuani R. (2025) The Educational Environment for Generation Z Students’ Sustainable Learning in Higher Education: Challenges in the Italian Context ISSN: 2758-0962 The Paris Conference on Education 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 417-432) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2758-0962.2025.32
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2758-0962.2025.32
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