Model for Driving Strategy of Autonomous Universities Towards Sustainable Development Goals

The research on strategic driving models of autonomous universities towards sustainable development goals is a qualitative study conducted through in-depth interviews with 27 university executives, stakeholders, and relevant individuals from Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University, and Chiang Mai University. According to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, these universities rank among the top 100 in the world as leading global universities that create a high societal impact (SDGs Impact). Additionally, three experts were interviewed to validate an appropriate model based on the strategic conceptual frameworks of Baker, B.S.H. (1994), David, F. R. (2009), and Hill and Hupe (2014). The study examined six strategies for driving the strategic direction of autonomous universities toward sustainable development goals. The findings indicate that the strategic driving model for autonomous universities towards sustainable development goals consists of four key missions: (1) graduate production, (2) research and innovation, (3) academic services to society, and (4) the preservation of arts and culture (Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, 2022). Additionally, the study identifies seven strategic implementation processes: (1) leadership selection strategy, (2) operational planning strategy, (3) strategy translation into actionable plans and projects, (4) resource allocation strategy, (5) policy implementation readiness strategy, (6) strategic communication and public relations, and (7) motivation and organizational culture cultivation to embed sustainable development values among students, faculty, and the public. This research provides a framework that university administrators can adopt to effectively drive their strategic initiatives, ensuring balanced and sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental dimensions at both national and global levels.