Sustainability Assessment of Higher Education Institutions in Saudi Arabia

Habib M. Alshuwaikhat, Yusuf A. Adenle and Bilal Saghir
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Habib M. Alshuwaikhat: Department of City and Regional Planning, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, KFUPM Box 1632, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Yusuf A. Adenle: Department of City and Regional Planning, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, KFUPM Box 1632, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Bilal Saghir: Department of City and Regional Planning, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, KFUPM Box 1632, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Universities are paramount change drivers in bringing about a culture of sustainability in society by setting themselves up as models and nurseries for sustainable development. Thus, assessment of sustainability integration within universities is key to their impact on sustainable development. This study conducted an assessment of different public sector universities of Saudi Arabia based on five components: (i) Teaching and Curriculum; (ii) Research and Scholarship; (iii) Campus Operations; (iv) Management and Community; and (v) Financial Management. The sustainability assessment questionnaire (SAQ) was utilized as a tool to discern the component-wise sustainability assessment for Saudi universities. The outcomes of the survey reveal that, in stark contrast with the universities of the developed world, offerings of sustainability relevant academic courses in Saudi Arabia are still lacking. Most Saudi universities still need to integrate research and scholarship in the area of sustainability; sustainable-campus operations in the current scenario are not sufficient. The results also reveal that sustainability-related projects are not prioritized within universities and sustainable financial management practices are not significant. This article concludes by proposing some recommendations emphasizing the importance of adopting sustainability practices in Saudi universities.

Keywords: sustainability assessment; sustainable universities; campus sustainability; higher education; Saudi Arabia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (22)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:8:p:750-:d:75330

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