Holistic education – A sustainable model for the future

Abstract

Higher education and the role of university stands at a critical position in the twenty first century.  There exists a need to identify a sustainable paradigm of higher education and the existential role of university.  Additionally, the concept of ‘third mission’ across Europe is becoming an important dimension for measuring the success of universities.  The need to identify existential role of universities, need for a sustainable model of higher education and incorporation of third mission presents an ideal opportunity to develop a holistic model of evolution.  This article argues that higher education must be viewed from a holistic perspective by introducing a new model called ‘Telos’ that describes evolution of individuals and societies from many faculties of development from an integral perspective.  Societal-integration is identified as an existential role of universities with Telos as a framework applied in third mission that integrates individuals, businesses and society.