Core Values Driving Sustainable Transformation in Saudi Arabian Higher Education

Abstract

In higher education, diversity, integrity, and social responsibility serve as foundational core values (CVs), shaping institutional identity, guiding actions, and fostering societal well-being. This study examines how public-sector Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of Saudi Arabia integrate these core values to advance sustainability in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). Core values mentioned at the HEIs websites were collected and through quantitative and qualitative analysis, common core values were identified and prioritized as high, medium, and low based on their frequency of adoption by HEIs. Excellence and Transparency were observed prioritized by 58% and 54% of HEIs respectively whereas 38% of HEIs prioritized both high priority core values which is a very promising trend. Furthermore, each identified core value was mapped to relevant UN-SDGs highlighting the proactive role for HEIs in achieving these goals through the strong fulfillment of these CVs. This study underscores the significance of core values in guiding the direction, purpose, and operations of HEIs, and their central role in advancing a sustainable future.