Universities as Agents of Healing the Societal Fissures - A Stakeholder Approach to Good and Sustainable Governance in the Higher Education Sector

Oct 15, 2026

The study explores how social cohesion, media, higher education, empowerment, and interfaith harmony contribute to good and sustainable governance in public universities in Pakistan. Primary data are collected from public sector universities in Pakistan, and analysis is conducted using SPSS and Mplus 8. Results confirm a significant influence of the identified variables on governance. Findings are not generalizable beyond Pakistan, and improvements are proposed through embedding these factors in university structures while monitoring activities and performance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Rationale of the Study

Theoretical Framework: Stakeholder theory

Universities as Agents of Healing the Societal Fissures: AStakeholder Approach to the Good and Sustainable Governance in Higher Education Sector Ayesha Ali *, and KashifRathore** Abstract This study aims to explore the role of social cohesion, media, higher education, empowerment, and interfaith harmony in good governance of the public universities in Pakistan. Primary data was collected from the public sector universities in Pakistan. Data analysis was conducted by using SPSS and Mplus 8software. Results confirm that social cohesion, media, higher education, empowerment, and interfaith harmony have a significant influence on good governance in public universities in Pakistan. Data was collected from public sector universities in Pakistan. Hence, the findings of this study cannot be generalized to universities in other countries. The inclusion of civil society, social cohesion, media, higher education, empowerment, and interfaith harmony in university structures and functions can resolve issues in the higher education sector. This can be done through building awareness and monitoring university‘s activities and performance for good governance in higher education sector. The article extends stakeholder theory of corporate governance by inquiring important stakeholders such as civil society and cohesion, media, higher education, gender empowerment and interfaith harmony and their role in improving university governance. Policies can be revised in this context to maximize sustainability by achieving a harmonious balance among these factors. The study also highlights that key variables ensure good corporate governance as per stakeholder‘s approach in the context of higher education sector. Keywords: Social cohesion, media, higher education, empowerment, interfaith harmony, sustainability, good governance in university. * PhD Scholar, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Email: [22ayesha11@gmail.com](22ayesha11@gmail.com) ** Institute of Administrative Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, [Emial: kashif.ias@pu.edu.pk](Emial: kashif.ias@pu.edu.pk) Introduction Pakistan is a multi-cultural and pluralistic society, where major fraction of the population shares the similar socio-religious norms and values. Increased intolerance and violence after the incident of 9/11 has resulted in the feeling of insecurity and social segregation among the people, both at global and local level. This phenomenon has eroded the norms of social trust and reciprocity which are the indicators of social stability and peaceful coexistence among people with different religious, ethnic or sectarian identities in a modern society. According to Tawil and Harley (2004) such social divisions and conflicts among people are also increasing both at micro and macro levels. Governance, higher education, and media are the social arenas which can be key contributors in engendering positive ideals and practices among the people (Gartler & Wolfe, 2004) . Scholars have studied the role of these institutions in promoting higher education, social cohesion and religious harmony among the societal members. Understanding and respecting people, their religion, beliefs and contributions of plurality in fostering harmony and peaceful coexistence in the society have also been studied by various scholars (Gutterman, 2023) . The study underlies few constructs which need to be understood in order to map the entire scenario empirically and find the relationship between these concepts. Rationale of the Study In contemporary society, the fractures within communities and nations are increasingly apparent, exacerbated by various socio-economic, political, and cultural factors. These divisions manifest in polarized viewpoints, social unrest, and even conflict. Addressing these societal fissures is not merely a matter of policy reform or economic interventions; it requires a fundamental shift in how individuals perceive and interact with one another. Education em

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the study?

To examine how social cohesion, media, higher education, empowerment, and interfaith harmony shape good governance in Pakistan’s public universities.

What data and methods does the study use?

Primary data are collected from public sector universities in Pakistan, and the study analyzes the data using SPSS and Mplus 8.

What do the results indicate about the studied variables?

The results confirm that social cohesion, media, higher education, empowerment, and interfaith harmony significantly influence good governance in public universities in Pakistan.

Why can’t the findings be generalized to other countries?

Because the data were collected only from public sector universities in Pakistan, the findings are limited to that context.

Oct 15, 2026

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