Teaching Humanitarian Engineering in Australia: Active, Authentic and Applied Learning to Raise Sustainable Development Awareness

Quality education is key in raising awareness for sustainability and disaster resilience. Humanitarian Engineering is a cross-disciplinary field that combines social and technical knowledge with a genuine commitment to addressing global challenges and improving the well-being of populations at risk. It encourages active engagement throughout its phases while focusing on environmental sustainability and cultural and resource appropriateness. This paper outlines the structure of the Humanitarian Engineering Course at RMIT University in Australia. Its pedagogical content is based on the integration of Active, Authentic and Applied learning. These are important methods for stimulating critical thinking and problem-solving skills, exposing students to real-world scenarios and bridging theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice. Through scenario-based activities, educational board games and simulation events, we prepare students to foster a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between community-based interventions and sustainable development goals.