Individual Award
Dr Margarita
PAVLOVA
Associate Professor, Department of International Education
Since her appointment to EdUHK in December 2013, Dr Margarita PAVLOVA has established a coherent
research programme in the area of Vocational Education and Sustainability. Her research (i)
revealed that countries in the Asia-Pacific region lack the skills to implement and sustain
low-carbon economies and (ii) led directly to changes in policy and educational practices to
address this problem through technical vocational education and training (TVET). The research
has resulted in the development of an innovative framework for conceptualising generic green
skills and the development of pedagogy and resources that have given policymakers, government
officials and institutions the support they need to incorporate these vital skills into the TVET
curricula to directly benefit communities and societies.
Dr Pavlova’s international standing in the area of green skills is very highly regarded.
Through her research and knowledge transfer activities, greening concepts have been
introduced into the TVET policy debate and offer a new perspective for policymakers
about skills development that supports the greening of economies, and facilitates the
development of a more holistic approach for developing green skills and introducing them
into the curriculum. Since developing the original UNESCO framework for greening TVET in
2010, her research has focused on identifying the skills required for green economic growth;
understanding how greening occurs in different industries; examining how TVET can become
greener; and developing changes in policy and practices for better green skills development
in the labour force to reduce the negative environmental impacts on economic development.
The importance of this research is evidenced in the urgency demonstrated by governments in
the Asia-Pacific region concerning sustainable development and the creation of climate
change agendas. Many countries have developed policies and plans to support their transition
to low-carbon economies by structurally changing labour markets and identifying the new
skills and competencies that need to be included in TVET.
Dr Pavlova’s collaborative engagement research is helping
countries in the region develop and implement green skills
policies and plans for sustainable development.
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