Purpose and Higher Education

Universities with a vital purpose offer numerous benefits that enhance student experience, staff engagement, and long-term success. Purpose-driven universities become a destination of choice for purpose-driven students, academics, and staff and a beacon of light in the higher education marketplace.

1.?What is the Purpose of Higher Education

In the previous editions of Three on Purpose, we have explored ideas around personal and organisational purpose, meaning, and impact. As many of my followers are in universities, I also wanted to discuss the purpose of higher education. This topic is very close to my heart, and I spoke about it in my TED talk and book, The Purpose Driven University. Last week, I had the pleasure of delivering the opening keynote for the Association for Tertiary Education Management convention on purpose and education at the 澳大利亚昆士兰科技大学 . It was a remarkable opportunity to not only share my personal story on how higher education saved my life but also to examine the big questions around purpose and higher education.

If purpose is our reason for being, what is the purpose of universities? We might think it is about delivering courses and degrees and conducting research. But there is a lot more to it. Just like corporate impact transcends employing people and creating useful products, higher education needs to explore how it can become more useful for those who want to be led by purpose and generate a positive impact in the world.

Similarly, purpose-driven education goes beyond academic excellence; it’s about fostering a deeper connection between students’ values, future careers, and the world they inhabit. At its core, it asks: How can education shape the leaders of tomorrow to be not just skilled professionals but also empathetic, driven, and socially responsible individuals? How can we shift from the great focus on employability to also enable impactability – or the ability of students to make a difference in the world? How do we stop measuring how good we are by how much money our students make and look instead at the difference they make?

An increasing number of universities are no longer obsessed with being ‘the best in the world’, with ranking and accreditation (which are also shifting more towards impact). Instead, they seek to be 'the best for the world’. Universities like Western Sydney University , which have twice gained the top position in the Times of Higher Education impact ranking . The 美国宾夕法尼亚大学 works hard to elevate poverty in Philadelphia. Taylor University with its remarkable Impact Labs . Or Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University , defining itself as a force for positive change with its I Will campaign. These and many others are using higher education as an agent of world benefit. In doing so, they are truthful to the original meaning of the word 'education' - leading forward.

2.?Why should universities be led by purpose?

Universities with a vital purpose offer numerous benefits that enhance student experience, staff engagement, and long-term success. Purpose-driven universities become a destination of choice for purpose-driven students, academics, and staff and a beacon of light in the higher education marketplace.

A clear sense of purpose fosters a deep connection between students and the institution’s mission, promoting a sense of belonging and holistic development. Students in these environments are more likely to engage fully academically and personally, preparing them for meaningful careers and responsible citizenship. Faculty and staff also benefit from finding more motivation and commitment when their work aligns with the institution’s overarching goals. This alignment strengthens retention rates, engagement, and the academic community.

A purposeful university also gains a better reputation, attracting top students, faculty, and staff passionate about the institution’s vision. This, in turn, leads to more opportunities for partnerships and collaboration with businesses, governments, and impact organisations. A clear purpose helps guide strategic decisions, making universities more resilient during challenges and more sustainable in the long run. Additionally, purposeful institutions are more likely to integrate sustainability goals into their core values, prioritising the environment’s and society’s long-term well-being.

Most importantly, universities that lead with purpose create a more significant societal impact. Their research, teaching, and community engagement are often geared towards addressing pressing global issues, such as climate change, inequality, or technological advancement. These institutions foster creativity by cultivating innovative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration, resulting in breakthroughs that benefit the university and the broader world. In doing so, purposeful universities not only excel academically but also serve as vital contributors to the betterment of society.

3. Aligning Curriculum and Research with Purpose

If teaching and research are what we do, our talent and tying them to our areas of passion can enable us to create a positive impact. Therefore, aligning the curriculum and research with our purpose is critical.?

One of the most powerful ways universities can help students discover their purpose is by integrating real-world issues into their learning. Programmes that address pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and social justice offer students the chance to connect their studies to larger societal needs. By allowing students to engage with these topics, universities help foster a sense of responsibility and drive towards contributing to the greater good. Internships, community service (service learning), and partnerships with businesses and for-purpose organisations allow students to apply their learning to practical, impactful work. When I began leading our MBA, the most pressing question was, how can we turn our MBA into a force for good? How can we create a positive impact through meaningful learning experiences??

Additionally, it’s time for universities to shift the discourse from research outputs to impact. I’ve seen many promotion applications where scholars discuss their ‘research impact’ by counting their journal articles and Google Scholar citations. This is not impact; it’s output. In addressing the question of research impact, academics must ask – how is my research contributing to people’s well-being and quality of life? How does it help society and the environment? How is my academic work used to create a meaningful impact and make a difference?

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