The Purpose-Driven University: Transforming Lives and Creating Impact through Academic Social Responsibility

What is the purpose of universities, and what is their role in our world? Many would say that it is to educate students and conduct research. This is true, but somehow, the narrow focus on these two goals led universities to be perceived as ivory towers and detached elitist institutions.  In an era when many organisations shift towards purpose, responsibility, and sustainability, universities have a role to play in becoming a force for good. While many higher education institutions are focused on being the best for the world, some are changing to become the best for the world. A movement has begun.  A purpose-driven university utilises its resources, knowledge, talent and people to continuously and intentionally contribute to the communities and the environment in which it operates: through research, education, programmes and service.  This timely book offers the why, how and what of a purpose-driven university, utilising cases, research, concepts and a framework which can be implemented in any university interested in making a difference. This book tells the stories of purpose-driven universities and other organisations, and serves as a call for action by academic leadership to change higher education for good.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1. On Purpose, Impact, Vision and Mission Chapter 2. The Multi-level Benefits of a Strong Purpose Chapter 3. Responsibility, Ethics and Sustainability in Higher Education Institutions: A Holistic Approach   Chapter 4. Leading Universities towards Purpose: The Role of University Leadership  Chapter 5. Purpose-related Stakeholders Chapter 6. Measuring Impact and Storytelling Chapter 7. Leading the Change Chapter 8. The Purpose-Driven University Model: Six Steps for Holistic Implementation Chapter 9. The Way Forward in Higher Education

About the Author :
Debbie Haski-Leventhal is a Professor of Management at Macquarie Business School, and an expert in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Responsible Management Education and Volunteerism. Together with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education, she conducts studies on business students around the world and their attitudes towards responsible management. She has published over 100 papers, and her work has been frequently covered by the media, including the New York Times and the Financial Review. She is a TED speaker and the editor-in-chief of Society and Business Review (Emerald).

Review :
The “purpose-driven university” is a reminder that is needed now more than ever, as we face the unprecedented global health, economic and sustainability challenges that surround us. Professor Haski-Leventhal has yet again pointed us in a direction offering, not just good hope and better outcomes for our universities, but a charge to aggressively advance our core purpose of producing transformative leaders and ideas for business, government and society. If we are to successfully develop and graduate effective citizens, intelligence is desirable, emotional intelligence, which enables us to regulate our emotions to better accomplish our objectives, is useful, but both are worthless without purpose-driven decency and goodness at the core. Professor Haski-Leventhal has provided us with a roadmap, pioneered through her inspiring university case studies, to guide us in preparing our students, and ourselves, to be good and decent citizens and leaders. Debbie Haski-Leventhal’s The Purpose-Driven University endeavours to further the conversation around the true purpose of a university as a vehicle of social impact. The book highlights the critical role purpose-driven universities play in solving some of the world’s greatest challenges while also transforming lives, enhancing knowledge and creating the greatest positive social impact in the world.