Point of view: human development and impact for sustainability—‘A new pipeline theory in academia’

Abstract

The role of academia in society is due for a comprehensive re-evaluation. Utilising the metaphor of a ‘network of pipelines’, this paper identifies two critical dimensions: a ‘people pipeline’, which includes a diverse range of students from various demographics—be they gender-based, socioeconomic or ethnic—and an ‘experience pipeline’ focused on the quality of teaching and learning. These components must be strategically synchronised to maximise societal and environmental impact. Drawing an analogy with engineered irrigation systems that require optimal operation and maintenance, the paper argues that academia should adopt a similarly meticulous approach. To this end, the article advocates for aligning educational endeavours more closely with Sustainable Development Goals, emphasising the need for a multi-layered, context-sensitive strategy.