In an article for University World News, Sarwar Khawaja (Oxford Business College) argues that higher education institutions have a duty to advance civic engagement and drive social change. Khawaja underlines that fulfilling this duty is a holistic effort–involving research, teaching, and community engagement–that must be tracked to ensure accountability and impact. The author highlights several strategies for fostering civic responsibility within higher education, including by establishing inclusive policies and initiatives; promoting service-learning initiatives; building community partnerships; and bolstering leadership development. “Ultimately, education is not just about preparing individuals for careers–it is about preparing them to contribute to the greater community,” concludes Khawaja.
