Integrating sustainability thinking into microbiology education: a conceptual framework for the next generation of environmental scientists

Although microbiology is essential to the global sustainability agenda, its educational focus is still mostly limited to industrial and medical applications. In order to bring microbiological education into line with the tenets of Education for Sustainable Development, this conceptual paper presents a sustainability-focused paradigm. The framework, which is founded on constructivist learning theory and systems thinking, highlights three interconnected educational pillars: interdisciplinary cooperation, ecological literacy, and problem-based learning. These pillars are intended to give students the skills, values, and information they need to relate microbial processes to global issues, including pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. The paper describes strategies for encouraging environmental awareness and social responsibility in aspiring microbiologists by combining knowledge from sustainability education and microbiology teaching. In order to prepare graduates to contribute to a resilient and regenerative future, it emphasizes that integrating sustainability thinking into microbiology education is crucial. It ends with strategic recommendations for curriculum reform, educator capacity building, and institutional support, particularly within the Global South.