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EDUCATING FOR A CIRCULAR FUTURE: DIGITAL INNOVATIONS, INTERDISCIPLINARY LEARNING, AND GLOBAL POLICY INSIGHTS IN INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS
Abstract
Adapting to a Circular Economy (CE) within the context of ongoing digital transformation calls for a significant rethinking of educational models. Future professionals must be prepared with technical knowledge and the ability to think in systems and adapt to emerging digital environments. This research tends to analyse how different digital tools (i.e., digital platforms, blockchain, digital twins, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence) can be effectively integrated into educational practices supporting industrial symbiosis (IS) development. Beyond improving operational workflows and resource exchange, these technologies also serve as pedagogical tools that can deepen learners- understanding of complex sustainability issues. Despite their potential, various challenges hinder widespread adoption. These include the technical intricacies of digital tools, issues of standardisation and compatibility, and broader concerns about infrastructure and social acceptance. As such, the research highlights the importance of embedding digital competence, interdisciplinary learning, and hands-on educational strategies into higher and vocational training. In addition, the study examines global legislative achievements, comparing policy frameworks across the European Union, Canada, the Southern Americas, China, and Vietnam. This comparison reveals how regulatory and institutional cooperation and best practice assessment can drive the adoption of CE and IS principles at scale. Spatial planning and legislative incentives enable such developments and cannot be neglected. The research proposes an integrated educational and policy model to promote a more inclusive, coordinated, and effective shift toward a circular and digitally enabled economy.
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References17
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