The Barriers and Challenges Faced by Private Sector Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Promoting Sustainable Development: A Qualitative Inquiry in Pakistan

Abstract

Private sector higher education institutions (HEIs) play a significant role
in advancement of sustainability. In Pakistan still this concept is in stage
of infancy and has received little research attention. Moreover, HEIs in
private sector are facing a lot of barriers and challenges in its
implementation. In this backdrop, the purpose of this exploratory study is
to determine the roles, barriers and challenges for development of
sustainable private sector HEIs in Punjab using semi-structured
interviews form 11 faculty members working in private sector HEIs in
Punjab, thematic analysis was carried out using NVivo 12. In general, all
the participants agreed that private sector HEIs are the knowledge
creating institutes and they can actively promote the sustainable
development in Pakistan through faculty training and active involvement
of all the stakeholders and action oriented research. Major barriers were
found to be lack of finance, poor research culture, faculty incompetency
and inadequate management support. It is suggested that HEIs must use
the resources in an optimal manner and develop appropriate class room
environment, effective curriculum, right technology usage, solution
based research and well developed infrastruct