Strategic Leadership in Higher Education for Advancing Solar Adoption: Toward a Framework for Sustainable Transformation
List of Authors
Mior Harris Mior Harun, Muhammad Haziq Mohammed
Keyword
Leadership, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Solar Adoption, Sustainability, Renewable Energy
Abstract
The integration of sustainability into institution of higher education (HEIs) has become a top priority globally. HEIs are increasingly called upon to lead societal transitions toward renewable energy. Solar energy adoption represents not only a technological shift but also a leadership challenge, requiring HEIs to align institutional vision, resources, and governance with global sustainability requirements. This conceptual paper proposes a framework for sustainable leadership in HEIs for solar adoption, structured around four interdependent pillars: strategic vision and policy alignment, innovation and technology adoption, financial and resource management, and collaborative and inclusive governance. Grounded in the foundation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 13: Climate Action), the framework highlights the pivotal role of HEIs in bridging policy, technology, and societal gaps in renewable energy transitions. The discussion integrates insights from leadership theories, including transformational, distributed, and sustainable leadership, to illustrate how universities can drive solar adoption beyond operational efficiency toward institutional transformation. Practical implications are also highlighted, emphasizing how HEIs can leverage policy incentives, adopt innovative financing mechanisms such as green sukuk, and utilize campuses as living laboratories for renewable energy education and research. The framework contributes to both leadership and sustainability scholarship by positioning HEIs as catalysts for renewable energy adoption, particularly in emerging economies where solar potential remains underutilized. Future research should validate the framework through empirical studies across diverse higher education contexts, offering further insights into the interplay between leadership, sustainability, and renewable energy adoption.