The pivotal role of higher education institutions in cultivating a sustainable development goals-centric culture
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 10 September 2024
Issue publication date: 15 October 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the contribution of higher education institutions (HEIs) to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and propose strategies to cultivate a culture centred on the SDGs in HEIs.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used encompassed an integrative literature review, combining bibliographic analysis on how HEIs incorporate the SDGs into their practices, adopting a qualitative approach for the analysis and categorization of the results.
Findings
The multifaceted contributions of HEIs in promoting the SDGs stand out, through their roles in teaching, research, management and integration and communication between university and society.
Research limitations/implications
While influencing policies at various levels, HEIs encounter challenges in the effective integration of SDGs into their strategies. This underscores the need for contextualized governance, understanding students’ perspectives on sustainability and active external collaboration in policy formulation.
Practical implications
There is an urgent need to integrate SDGs into academic programmes, emphasizing the importance of redesigning curricula, actively involving teachers, researchers and students, establishing partnerships and promoting research applied to SDGs.
Social implications
The social relevance of the study lies in the emphasis on an SDG-centred culture, involving teaching, research, outreach, community engagement and governance practices.
Originality/value
The study’s uniqueness lies in identifying persistent challenges during the transition to an SDG-centred culture, necessitating multisectoral collaboration and educational programmes that integrate sustainability principles into the strategy of HEIs.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of several institutions in the successful completion of this study. The research was carried out by the Centre for Sustainable Development (Greens) in collaboration with the Graduate Programme in Administration at the University of Southern Santa Catarina (Unisul) as part of the Greens 10 × 10 project. The authors also extend our appreciation to the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Estado de Santa Catarina (FAPESC), Ânima Institute (AI), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for their invaluable support and assistance throughout the research process.
Citation
Cembranel, P., Gewehr, L., Dal Moro, L., Fuchs, P.G., Birch, R.S. and Andrade Guerra, J.B.S.O.d.A. (2024), "The pivotal role of higher education institutions in cultivating a sustainable development goals-centric culture", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 25 No. 7, pp. 1385-1411. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-01-2024-0057
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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