Be holistic is to be sustainable for students’ empowerment-Implication of transformative learning model

Abstract Universities act as engines for the growth of nations and provide opportunities to the youth for improving their knowledge, undertake research to broaden their horizons and acquire the skills and attitudes required for the job market. The emphasis on Education for Sustainable Development in higher education institutions has increased in recent years due to increasing environmental impacts owing to climate change, extensive use of fossils unsustainable development, and global warming, among other factors. However, little research has been undertaken in universities of developing countries to develop a holistic approach to sustainable campuses. In this research the perceptions of the staff of universities about sustainable development practices (SDPs) and their influence on the students’ empowerment has been evaluated. Various attributes of SDPs such as economic, environmental and social dimensions were also assessed. A questionnaire survey was conducted among stakeholders from three government universities in the Malakand region. For analysis of the results, Smart Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was used. The results show that initiatives related to economic, environmental, and social dimensions have a positive and direct influence on perceptions of the SDPs. Students' empowerment through transformative education and opportunities for their engagement in sustainability are important for the SDPs in universities.