Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals for Quality Education in institutions of Higher Education in Pakistan: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) markedly focused on access to education for all through poverty elevation. All nations and especially developing countries like Pakistan had responded positively to achieve these MDGs. Afterward, UNO announced sustainable development goals(SDGs) agenda of 2030, fourth goal of which was about the quality of education in higher education institutes (HEIs).In this relation, the focus of present research was to analyze current implementations by institutes of higher education for imparting “quality education to promote life-long learning for all” under guidelines of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. Therefore, it is important to ensure sustainability in providing quality education to future generations. For conducting this study, a qualitative approach was adopted to get opinions from the heads of departments about measures taken for sustainability. Population of this study comprised all the heads of the departments from all faculties of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. Whereas, sample consisted nineteen (19) heads from Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, using purposive sampling technique. For data collection purposes, an open-ended semi structured interview protocol was developed, consisting of six questions. Thematic analysis technique was adopted to analyze the opinions of all heads of the departments to achieve SDGs to enhance quality of higher education. Results of study showed that most heads agreed to implement sustainable goals at university level within their capacity. Moreover, the lack of resources and expertise were the major obstacles for implementing these goals in their institutes.
 Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, Quality Education, Higher Education