This qualitative study explores how colleges can cultivate students' holistic development, preparing them to address complex local and global challenges. Amid environmental crises, social inequalities, and mental health concerns, universities play a critical role in fostering students’ intellectual, emotional, ethical, and spiritual growth. However, the increasing shift toward career-oriented models in higher education risks neglecting these essential dimensions of learning. Drawing from Western and Eastern perspectives on holistic education, this study examines Soka Ikeda College of Arts and Science for Women, where multifaceted student empowerment has been a core institutional focus since its founding. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), semi-structured interviews with three alumni and two faculty members explored their experiences and perceptions of holistic education. The data, analyzed through IPA’s five stages, revealed five key institutional practices fostering students’ growth: Articulating a clear vision, Providing a role model, Encouraging challenges, Offering sustained support, Fostering gratitude. These findings suggest that integrating these five elements into pedagogy and institutional culture enhances holistic education. This study contributes to higher education reform by offering a framework for fostering well-rounded individuals capable of meaningful societal impact and resilient to life challenges.

Authors:
Takahiro Asano, National Institute of Amazon Research, Brazil

---

Conference Comments & Feedback

Place a comment using your LinkedIn profile

Comments

Share on activity feed

Post with LinkedIn

Powered by WP LinkPress

Share this Presentation

Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Linkedin

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

Last updated: 2023-02-23 23:45:00

All Posts