Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan: A Systematic Review of Progress and Challenges

Preeta Hinduja, Razia Fakir Mohammad, Sohni Siddiqui (), Shahnaz Noor and Altaf Hussain
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Preeta Hinduja: Education Department, Iqra University, Karachi 75300, Pakistan
Razia Fakir Mohammad: Education Department, Iqra University, Karachi 75300, Pakistan
Sohni Siddiqui: Department of Educational Psychology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany
Shahnaz Noor: Education Department, Iqra University, Karachi 75300, Pakistan
Altaf Hussain: Education Department, Iqra University, Karachi 75300, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Sustainability is a global problem that invites researchers and teachers to integrate sustainability concerns into curricula. The analysis discussed in this paper is grounded in a synthesis of research papers and documents that analyzes the current status of the initiatives taken to achieve sustainability in education in the context of Pakistan. Through content analyses of 26 studies made in higher education, this study discusses the progress and challenges in achieving Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in Pakistani Higher Education Institutions. Most of the studies reviewed were open access and published by HEC (Higher Education Commission) Pakistan in recognized national and international journals. This review shows how education contributes to transformation by highlighting the contribution of different stakeholders, i.e., administrators and leaders (eight studies) and teachers and students (fifteen studies). It also highlights governance, communication and coordination among stakeholders (eleven studies), campus outreach (five studies), and significant challenges in achieving sustainability (seven studies). The analysis provides a basis for the consideration of logistical support and quality education (SDG #4) to progress toward the SDGs. This analysis will help educators and managers in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to reflect on their practices, leading to Sustainable Development (SD). In addition to this, this study will help policy makers and curriculum developers to identify key challenges in meeting sustainable development goals. Also, this will enable researchers to identify gaps in the literature when framing their research questions.

Keywords: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD); Sustainable Development (SD); higher education; stakeholders; progress and challenges (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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