Contributions of University Students’ Cognitions Towards the University to the Creation of a Sustainable University

Fulya Almaz, Yasin Özkara (), Begümhan Yüksel (), Güçlü Şekercioğlu, Fatih Serdar Yıldırım and Ayşegül Yıldırım
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Fulya Almaz: Social Sciences Vocational School, Department of Management and Organization, Akdeniz University, 07070 Antalya, Turkey
Yasin Özkara: Faculty of Education, Department of Basic Education, Akdeniz University, 07070 Antalya, Turkey
Begümhan Yüksel: Faculty of Education, Department of Basic Education, Akdeniz University, 07070 Antalya, Turkey
Güçlü Şekercioğlu: Department of Early Childhood Education, Akdeniz University, Akdeniz University, 07070 Antalya, Turkey
Fatih Serdar Yıldırım: Faculty of Education, Department of Science Education, Akdeniz University, 07070 Antalya, Turkey
Ayşegül Yıldırım: Health Services Vocational School, Department of Child Care and Youth Services, KTO Karatay University, 42020 Konya, Turkey

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-16

Abstract: In almost all institutional discourses about universities, students are mentioned. Universities are defined as dynamic areas that pave the way for students to acquire and develop scientifically based professional skills. Students are also given importance in explanations about creating a sustainable university. However, their contributions have been neglected in the development of this idea. Based on this inspiration, this study aims to examine the kind of expansions the university reality constructed by university students with their cognitive patterns can provide to the idea of creating a sustainable university. To achieve this aim, firstly, the university reality constructed by students enrolled in an associate degree program at a university, with their cognitive patterns, is explained through metaphors. Accordingly, open-ended questions were asked to 200 university students who were in the process of experiencing university life and volunteered to participate in the study. The answers received were evaluated through descriptive analysis and content analysis. As a result of the research, it was seen that 119 metaphors were produced, and these metaphors could be divided into seven categories with the titles of university as a structure that expresses, develops, and enlightens university reality; university as a structure that reaches goals; university as a social life area that accommodates differences and offers diversity; university as a structure that limits; university as a structure that challenges; university as a structure that liberates; and university as a structure that provides security and peace. Then, it was discussed how university students’ explanations about university reality would benefit the establishment of a sustainable university. While this study provides insights into university students’ perspectives on the university, it also contributes to strengthening and expanding the existing idea of a sustainable university.

Keywords: sustainable university; sustainability in higher education; metaphor analysis; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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