Framing the role of higher education in sustainable development: a case study analysis

Abstract

Purpose Higher education institutions (HEIs) should play a fundamental role in achieving the international 2030 sustainable development (SD) agenda. Quality education is the fourth of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and one of the targets related to this is to ensure that by 2030 all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote SD. Therefore, the SDGs provide a motive for HEIs to integrate SD concepts into their day-to-day practices. This study aims to introduce a framework for HEIs’ sustainable development assessment. Such a framework guides HEIs and educational leaders to support their countries’ commitments to achieving the SDGs. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents the results of a case study analysis of the role and successful techniques of HEIs in achieving SD in three countries, namely, Germany, Japan and Egypt. Primary data was collected by semi-structured interviews with three Cairo University officials, while secondary data was collected by reviewing the universities' official websites, reports, publications and related papers. This study introduces a novel framework for HEIs' SD analysis and assessment, which guides HEIs and educational leaders to support SD to fulfill their countries' commitments to achieving the SDGs. This framework is based on the following five categories: strategic direction and institutional working practices, supporting students, supporting university staff competencies, supporting society's stakeholders and networking and sustainable campus. Consideration is given to the potential role of HEIs to support SD in each of these areas. Findings Cairo University could learn from the novel and pioneer practices of the Leuphana University of Lüneburg, and the University of Tokyo to fill in the gaps it has in different roles. It can also put more effort into adopting the suggested higher education programs of Egypt's Vision 2030. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to a case analysis comparing three countries, Germany, Japan and Egypt. Second, this study has not considered school education, which is equally essential in countries' SD. Practical implications HEIs can use the framework and the findings in this paper to evaluate their current roles in supporting SD, identify the gaps and take actions accordingly to address their weaknesses. Originality/value The paper compares three universities, one in each of the case study countries. It draws conclusions that identify ways in which the paper's framework and findings can guide SD practice in HEIs internationally, especially those in the developing world.

Sustainable Development Goal for Quality Education (SDG 4): A study on SDG 4 to extract the pattern of association among the indicators of SDG 4 employing a genetic algorithm

“…2) is intended to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and to encourage lifelong learning opportunities for everyone, and it includes seven objectives and three methods of implementation (Ferguson et al, 2018;McKay, 2018;Webb et al, 2017). Even though the goals were formed through a lengthy consultation process led by member countries, civil society, educators, unions, intergovernmental agencies, regional organizations, the private sector, research organizations, and endowments were all engaged (Elmassah et al, 2021). Later, the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) was established as a collaboration of several sponsoring UN entities such as UNE-SCO, UN-DESA, UNEP, Global Compact, and UNU, to galvanize commitments from higher academic institutions to instruct and promote research on sustainable development (Paulette, 2019).…”

Guest editorial

“…The case study by Elmassah et al (2021) shows how Cairo University could learn from the role models as Leuphana University of Lüneburg in Germany and Tokyo University in Japan. Thereby, they touch on governance, education, outreach and campus operations.…”

Higher education as a determinant of sustainable development

“…Researchers (Elmassah, 2022) believe that higher education institutions should play a fundamental role in achieving the international sustainable development agenda by 2030.…”