A Reflection on Academic Sustainability Indicators: Analyzing the Views of Higher Education Policy Makers and Planners

This study aims to investigate the views of higher education policy makers and planners on academic sustainability towards presenting a comprehensive conceptual model. As a case study, a qualitative approach was applied. For this, the mechanisms of sustainable university and its comprehensive and inherent mission were used as a basis for analyzing and identifying indicators of academic sustainability. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data which was analyzed via inductive content analysis. Participants included 17 policy makers and planners and senior experts in the field of higher education who were selected purposefully. The findings were validated by participants and a group of academic faculties. The results of the data analysis in the coding process led to the identification of 153 open codes, which were finally categorized into 26 axial categories and 8 selective codes. Therefore, the findings included eight main categories of pedagogictal aspects in learning processes, sustainable research, functional structural requirements, social sustainability economic sustainability, scientific and academic identity and academic diplomacy in the age of globalization. Finally, the findings show that if universities wanted to maintain their stability in the current situation, they need to move towards and focus on sustainability. Accordingly, a sustainable university is a university with a sustainable strategy, a transversal and community-based vision of implementing sustainable principles and concepts in sustainable teaching-learning functions, sustainable research, strengthening democratic society, minimizing environmental, economic social and health negative impacts. This university has functional structural requirements, scientific and academic interactions, a well-defined and robust economic and financial system that has always sought to strengthen the identity of professional citizens in helping a sustainable and pioneering society.