Prioritizing sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders: solution for educational leaders

Universities play a crucial role in shaping the future during a time of pressing environmental issues and the call for sustainable growth. University leaders have the opportunity to move beyond simply acknowledging sustainability challenges and to take effective action. Therefore, this study aimed to explore sustainability consciousness among university stakeholders of a selected institution in South Africa. Interpretative phenomenological approach in a qualitative design was adopted to investigate stakeholders lived experiences of sustainability consciousness. Participants in the study included students, lecturers as well as two administrative staff members. All participants completed an 8-week sustainability Short Learning Program (SLP). Data was collected through unstructured in-depth interviews with the participants and analyzed thematically using Atlas.ti version 22 for thematic coding. Intercoder reliability was ensured through dual independent analysis. The study’s findings highlight the importance of universities to not only prioritize sustainability awareness, but also to act as catalysts for change by integrating sustainability across all academic disciplines and promoting sustainable practices among stakeholders. The paper recommends amongst others that HEIs infuse sustainability into all fields, engage all stakeholders in campus sustainability efforts, and adopt organizational theories aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) frameworks.