Sustainable Development at Saudi Arabian Universities: An Overview of Institutional Frameworks

Ismaila Rimi Abubakar,Yusuf A Aina,Habib M Alshuwaikhat

doi:10.3390/su12198008

Abstract

For the past three decades, sustainable development (SD) at higher education institutions (HEIs) has been receiving increasing global attention based on the recognition of their vital roles in fostering sustainability teaching and practices on their campuses and influencing the larger society to embrace sustainable behaviors. As one of its key dimensions, an institutional framework is a fundamental step and indicator of commitment to advancing SD at universities. However, some universities, especially in the countries of the Global South, are either missing this dimension or have inefficient institutional frameworks due to the lack of standard practice or guidance. This study assesses the extent of establishing an institutional framework for SD in Saudi Arabian universities (n = 44). Data were from a desk study and a survey of university websites and analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The study found that 72.7% of the universities have shown a commitment to campus sustainability by having sustainability visions; 52.3% have established a dedicated office for SD governance, 68.2% are involved in community outreach and 63.6% collaborate with external agencies in SD efforts. Although there is no evidence of specific campus sustainability plans in the universities, 45.5% of them have SD coverage in their campus development plans or strategic plans. Sustainability assessment and reporting are generally lacking. The findings can improve our understanding of the extent of the commitment of the universities to SD and how they communicate their SD efforts through their websites, which can foster engagement in campus sustainability. The study concludes that a sound institutional framework is vital to implementing SD at universities.

Highlights

Sustainable development (SD) has emerged as an important field within higher education governance, teaching, and research
This review indicates the need to explore the extent to which universities have established an institutional framework for achieving SD at their campuses and their variability, especially in rapidly developing countries of the Global South like Saudi Arabia that face immense SD challenges and higher education institutions (HEIs) are expected to contribute in addressing the challenges
An institutional framework for SD at HEIs consists of a vision/mission, dedicated office, policy/plan, collaboration, and outreach for implementing, managing, and coordinating sustainability efforts on campus [6]

Summary

Introduction

Sustainable development (SD) has emerged as an important field within higher education governance, teaching, and research. An institutional framework for SD at HEIs is a system of formal policies and procedures and informal practices for achieving a sustainable university. Institutionalizing sustainability at universities involves establishing a formal vision, plan, and a dedicated office to have oversight of sustainability procedures and efforts [6]. The recently established sustainable development goals (SDGs) stress the need for institutional commitment to SD and increased utilization of data to assess progress [12,13]. Purcell et al [14] asserted that universities can help achieve SD by strategically aligning their mission and activities with the SDG framework. The incorporation of SDGs into teaching, learning, and research and the establishment of partnerships are key to achieving SDGs at universities [16]

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Conclusion