The "sustainable university": Contemporary perspectives, competencies, and practices in higher education

This chapter examines contemporary perspectives on Higher Education (HE) through a narrative literature review complemented by case studies illustrating practical approaches to sustainability within universities. The discussion explores how HE institutions function as pivotal agents of societal transformation, particularly in the context of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis encompasses not only the conceptual foundations of the “sustainable university”, but also the range of actions that can be undertaken across four interrelated domains: education and research, stakeholder engagement, campus management, and regulatory and governance sphere. Empirical examples demonstrate how higher education institutions (HEIs) implement sustainability in their campus management, transforming physical infrastructure and operational practices into living laboratories for environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, and social innovation. Furthermore, this chapter addresses the evolving profiles of academic teachers and students in light of these transformations. It identifies the competencies and skills that will be increasingly required in the near future, including digital literacy, systems thinking, ethical reasoning, and the capacity to engage critically with complex sustainability challenges. Special attention is given to the pedagogical implications of remote learning environments, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on HE, and the paradigm shift from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, which emphasizes the integration of technological advancement with humanistic, environmental, and ethical considerations. By combining theoretical reflection with applied examples, the chapter provides a multidimensional understanding of how HEIs can both model and foster sustainable development (SD) in a rapidly changing world.