Building economically robust, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable higher education institutions: A glimpse into the case of a Turkish private university

Abstract

The global rise in student enrollment rates in higher education, growing from 100 million in 2000 to approximately 250 million in 2020, underpins an urgent need for sustainable academic ecosystems. The challenge with sustainability in tertiary education comes with financial, technological, and environmental setbacks. This qualitative case study explores the good practices in sustainability of Ibn Haldun University, a foundation university in Istanbul, Turkiye, to explore how young institutions can tackle such sophisticated demands. Despite broader systemic dilemmas such as a lack of competent faculty members, limited financial resources, a deficiency in infrastructure, and unsatisfactory environmental sensitivity across many universities, Ibn Haldun University displays promising strategies. These include diversification in financial resources, comprehensive initiatives in digital transformation, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through strategic academic centers within the institution, innovation hubs, and technology-integrated teaching, the university sets an example of a multi-perspective approach to sustainability. The findings emphasize the pivotal role of diversification in funds, proactive technology adoption, and state-of-the-art environmental initiatives in ensuring a lasting and persistent position. This research adds to the literature on the sustainability of foundation universities and suggests policy recommendations for education authorities at a local and global scale. By showcasing a replicable model of sustainable higher education, this study offers a roadmap for HEIs, particularly in developing nations, that are seeking to sustain financial, technological, and environmental robustness.