Abstract

The preservation of ecosystems depends on aquatic biodiversity, although implementing solutions is a challenge. Advanced learning can bring profound change, and planners must advocate for greater cross-disciplinary collaboration. In this, the authors look to deploy the engineering of curricula for cross-disciplinary education aimed at conservation of aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity at tertiary education institutions. In the integrated approaches, policy analysis, biology, environmental science, and the relevant administrative technology to aquatic ecosystems, the aimed curricula must prepare learners to interrogate better the existing perennial frames around and the aggressively and actively declining biodiversity. The authors here advocate for collaboration between students and other scientists doing field work and cross-disciplinary projects in a deep immersion in a real ecosystem to understand the fundamentals of experiencing the given biodiversity. Besides, the contribution of sustainability to aquatic research has been emphasized, with reference to the need to create mechanisms that balance the conservation of ecosystems with the demands of human development. It also explains the importance of a curriculum that requires both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills in aquatic research, conservation, and policy-making in preparing students to take up careers in the same field. Higher education institutions can establish an interdisciplinary partnership to help build a more well-rounded understanding of the complex nature of problems in aquatic biodiversity and to join the global community of sustainable aquatic management. The identified gaps in conservation of the aquatic environment strongly justify the need for integrating more complex and comprehensive interdisciplinary courses at higher education institutions.

Keywords: Interdisciplinary education, Conservation, Aquatic conservation, Enhancing curricula, Diversity of life in water, Sustainability, Higher education