تعیین عوامل تأثیرگذار بر آموزش محیط‌زیست در راستای توسعه پایدار و رتبه‌بندی دانشگاه‌ها مطالعه موردی: دانشگاه‌های دولتی در تهران

ABSTRACT
The aim of the study is to explain the impact of contextual and process factors on students' environmental education in order to achieve sustainable development and also to evaluate universities using the TOPSIS model in these factors. This study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical and survey research in terms of data collection. The study population of students in Tehran universities consists of 165,981 people. In this study, 383 students were selected as a sample using the proportional stratification method and the Cochran formula. A questionnaire was also used to measure the components. The validity of the indicators was confirmed using the opinions of relevant professors and experts, and the reliability of its components was examined using the Cronbach's alpha method, which was calculated to be more than 0.8. Data analysis using Pearson's correlation coefficient and analysis of variance indicated a significant relationship between the indicators of academic achievement motivation, social factors, cultural factors, and the quality of higher education with environmental education. The findings showed that about 84.5 percent of the changes in environmental education are explained by independent variables, among which cultural factors were the most important influential factor with a significance level of less than 0.004. Also, the ranking of universities in terms of research indicators by the TOPSIS model indicated the difference between universities in Tehran in terms of having the environmental education index.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Environmental problems have intensified alarmingly in recent decades, emerging as one of humanity's most critical and existential challenges. Key drivers accelerating this crisis include unsustainable industrial and agricultural practices, excessive exploitation of natural resources (like deforestation and overfishing), and widespread greenhouse gas emissions primarily from fossil fuel dependence. These activities trigger devastating consequences such as climate change, biodiversity collapse, and pervasive pollution. Addressing this requires fundamental shifts, where environmental education represents an essential long-term strategy for mitigating these crises and advancing global sustainability goals. It functions by deepening understanding of intricate human-nature interdependencies and fostering a profound sense of collective responsibility. Furthermore, it empowers present and future generations to make informed, eco-conscious decisions in their personal and professional lives, supports the development of green economic infrastructure, and crucially translates complex scientific knowledge into tangible action. Consequently, environmental education is indispensable for achieving meaningful sustainable development and securing a healthy, equitable future for all. This applied research specifically aimed to investigate these dynamics within higher education. Its primary objectives were: 1) to rigorously examine the impact of contextual factors (encompassing cultural norms and social influences) and process factors (including perceived higher education quality and students' academic achievement motivation) on university students' environmental education levels, and 2) to systematically evaluate and rank universities based on key environmental education indicators using the TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making model. The central research question guiding this inquiry was: "To what extent do cultural factors, social factors, higher education quality, and academic achievement motivation impact the environmental education of university students?" A secondary purpose was to determine universities' comparative standings on a broader environmental attitude index, also utilizing the analytical power of the TOPSIS model.
 
Methodology
This applied study employed a descriptive-correlational survey methodology. The statistical population comprised 165,981 students from comprehensive and technical-engineering universities in Tehran during the 2021-2022 academic year. A representative sample of 383 students was selected using proportional stratified sampling (with university, degree level, and field of study as strata) and the Cochran formula for large populations. The primary data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire, designed after an extensive literature review and examination of research background. The content and face validity of the questionnaire's indicators and items were confirmed by experts in environmental science and higher education. Its reliability was verified by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient, with satisfactory results exceeding 0.7 for all constructs. The dependent variable was "Environmental Education," and the independent variables included "Social Capital," "Cultural Factors," "Higher Education Quality," and "Academic Achievement Motivation." Data analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression) in SPSS software. University ranking was performed using the TOPSIS model.
 
Results and Discussion
Results from Pearson correlation and ANOVA analyses revealed significant relationships between all independent variables (Academic Achievement Motivation, Social Factors, Cultural Factors, and Higher Education Quality) and Environmental Education. Regression analysis further showed that these variables explained 84.5% of the variance in Environmental Education. Among them, "Cultural Factors" (p < 0.004) emerged as the strongest predictor. University ranking using the TOPSIS model also indicated a significant difference in the status of the environmental education index among Tehran universities.
 
Conclusion
The findings of this study strongly indicate that effective environmental education in Tehran universities is a multidimensional, complex phenomenon dependent on the dynamic interaction of individual, social, and institutional factors. The statistical results confirm a positive and significant relationship between all studied variables (cultural factors, social factors, higher education quality, and achievement motivation) and environmental education. They particularly highlight the pivotal role of cultural factors—such as collective pro-environmental values, socially responsible attitudes, and sustainability-promoting norms—as the strongest predictor. This underscores that education is not merely the transfer of knowledge but must also engage with the societal cultural context and reinforce sustainability-aligned values. Furthermore, the significant gap identified among the studied universities in the composite index of environmental education reveals the necessity for tailored, targeted, and flexible policy-making for each university. It also necessitates allocating financial, human, and educational resources commensurate with each institution's specific needs, strengths, and weaknesses. A uniform approach will likely lack efficacy. Ultimately, this research emphasizes that designing and implementing integrated, context-based, and multifaceted educational programs is essential and urgent for achieving deep and sustainable effectiveness of environmental education in Iran's higher education system. These programs must be aligned with and sensitive to societal culture while systematically enhancing institutional quality (through curriculum improvement, faculty empowerment, and provision of facilities) and student motivation (via active teaching methods, meaningful practical projects, and connection to real-world challenges).
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.