The era of the ‘Ivory Tower’ university is over! The value and contribution of the so-called 'third mission' of universities, namely societal engagement and service to the community, continues to increase in importance and will be central in assuring the public legitimacy of universities in the decades ahead.
In a rapidly changing global landscape marked by geopolitical instability, environmental uncertainty, social inequality, and technological disruption, universities have an increasingly vital role to play in shaping the futures of their communities. As anchor institutions — organizations that are deeply embedded within their localities — universities possess the resources, expertise, and facilities to act as agents of sustainable transformation in their communities. Their enduring presence, coupled with their teaching, research, and local economic influence, positions them as indispensable partners in creating resilient, inclusive, and sustainable societies.
Understanding universities as anchor institutions emphasizes their place-based nature. Unlike private enterprises, universities are not mobile; they are fixed by their campuses, investments, and community relationships. They play a key role in their local environments, where they act as catalysts and hubs for local and regional economies. They are often among the largest employers and purchasers in their regions, and their cultural and intellectual contributions shape the local identity. This anchored status gives them unique leverage to foster long-term social and economic progress. By aligning their institutional missions with community needs, universities can move beyond the traditional “Ivory Tower” model toward one of civic engagement and civic partnership, co-creating solutions to local and global challenges.
Many issues can provide a focus for the civic engagement mission of universities. However, given that sustainability is the most significant challenge facing society globally, it is a particularly suitable topic around which to unite the teaching, research, and service functions of universities. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global framework for universities to align their missions with planetary and human well-being. In doing so, they ensure that their impact extends beyond academic excellence to include environmental stewardship, social justice, and economic resilience. When universities integrate sustainability into their operations and strategies, they model responsible governance and influence wider societal norms.
In advancing sustainable societies, it is clear that an emphasis must be placed on developing the talent pipeline required to address both the challenges and the opportunities associated with sustainable development. To truly act as anchors of sustainable development, universities have a responsibility to prepare students with the competencies needed to thrive in a green economy. Green skills — the knowledge, abilities, and values that enable individuals to support sustainable societies and economies — should be embedded across all curricula. These include, for example, skills in renewable energy management, sustainable design, circular economy principles, environmental ethics, and systems thinking. Green skills encompass a broad spectrum of competencies, from specific technical skills, through an appreciation of sustainability principles (such as planetary boundaries), to transversal skills (such as critical thinking).
Incorporating green skills benefits not only students but also local economies. As industries transition toward low-carbon and resource-efficient practices, employers increasingly demand a workforce capable of innovating within sustainable frameworks. By producing graduates who are “green-skilled,” universities contribute directly to regional economic development, supporting emerging green sectors such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and eco-tourism. Moreover, by integrating experiential learning, for example, through internships, community projects, and campus sustainability initiatives, universities can bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that graduates are equipped to lead real-world transitions toward sustainability.
Research is another powerful lever for universities to shape sustainable futures for their communities and regions. As anchor institutions, they can mobilize interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research that addresses local sustainability challenges, from climate adaptation to social equity. Universities can serve as “living laboratories” where sustainable technologies, behavioral interventions, and policy innovations are tested in collaboration with community partners. Through such engagement, academic research becomes both globally relevant and locally actionable. For instance, partnerships between universities, local governments, and industries can produce innovations in renewable energy, waste reduction, and sustainable urban design. These collaborations not only advance scholarly knowledge but also generate tangible benefits for the local economy and environment.
The economic influence of universities extends far beyond their role as centers of education and research. Their procurement, employment, and investment choices can significantly shape local economies. By adopting sustainable procurement policies, universities can prioritize local, green, and socially responsible suppliers. Campus infrastructure projects can serve as models of energy efficiency and low-carbon design, thereby inspiring similar practices in the community. Indeed, by acting as exemplary institutions in this regard, universities can have considerable influence on their regions.
Furthermore, universities can foster green innovation ecosystems, incubating startups, supporting social enterprises, and providing research and development services that promote sustainable business models. Through technology transfer, entrepreneurial education, and public-private partnerships, universities become engines of sustainable economic growth. The alignment of education and research with local green industry needs creates a virtuous cycle: the university supplies skilled graduates and innovative ideas, while the local economy provides employment and practical learning opportunities.
At the strategic level, sustainability offers a unifying narrative that links the diverse missions of the university. It connects the intellectual pursuit of knowledge with the ethical imperative of social responsibility. Through sustainability, universities can articulate their public value more clearly, thereby showing that academic excellence and community engagement are not competing priorities but mutually reinforcing goals.
By embedding sustainability into their research and operations, and, in particular, by incorporating green skills into their curricula, universities not only prepare students for future economies but also develop useful solutions for key societal challenges and act as exemplars of sustainable practice. Their position as anchor institutions allows them to model the integrated thinking and collaboration necessary for addressing the complex challenges of our time.
At a time when their public legitimacy and value are being questioned all over the world, universities have a responsibility to engage effectively with their communities and to demonstrate significant impact in a very tangible manner. Sustainable development provides a particularly important framework for such societal engagement and for driving major beneficial impact!