A PROPOSED VISION FOR PLANNING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SAUDI ARABIAN UNIVERSITIES IN LIGHT OF VISION 2030

Abstract

This study explores possible visions for enhancing sustainability programs in universities in the manner that the initiatives will achieve Kingdom’s Vision 2030. This is the primary aim of this research. Using the survey strategy, 197 participants, who are university lecturers and non-academic staff, were drawn from different universities across Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was used to gain their insights on the topic. Analysis was conducted using relevant statistical measures, including the calculation of percentile values, mean, and standard deviation. The results offered greater insights into the attitudes of stakeholders toward sustainable development in the universities surveyed. The data indicate that the participants have a positive attitude toward sustainable development. The areas the schools have focused on in their sustainability programs include the integration of sustainable development policies in their curriculum, entrenching sustainability practices in students’ engagement, and the use of research initiatives to advance sustainability practices. The result further indicates that there are actions necessary for universities to take in instituting sustainability practices in their institutions. The findings showed that there is a need to establish units and offices specifically dedicated to supervising sustainability development activities in the school. The stakeholders also suggested that universities should integrate seminars on sustainability into their educational programs, establish strategic partnerships with other organizations aimed at enhancing sustainable development, and make efforts to be an example to other institutions in terms of sustainability programs. As such, it is necessary to expand the discussion of these findings considering vision 2030, which further unveiled how universities have contributed immensely in enhancing the achievability of Vision 2030. Keywords: Sustainable Development, Universities, Saudi 2030 Vision, Educational Programs DOI： https://doi.org/10.35741/issn.0258-2724.58.5.13