The Reality of Social Responsibility in Private Universities in Riyadh

Abstract

Now more than ever, educational institutions especially the large ones are called upon to hold responsibility, take the initiative to include that through their strategic plans. They should not to be limited in this field to only donations, sponsoring and organizing conferences or offering initiatives within the framework of public relations or marketing department, without developing plans and studying the needs in order to get to what is known as "smart donations" which guarantee the initiatives meeting the needs following conducting relevant studies and developing mechanisms to measure the extent of success.

Universities have been and continue to be a platform for civilization in all communities. Therefore it became necessary that universities' administrations to seek to deepen the practices of the sense of social responsibility, and to encourage personnel to convert it from just a thought to a behavior of practicing social responsibility in the minds of personnel and students alike. Who could also contribute with the lion's share towards the public participatory developmental concern, which we hope that its effect and impact will reach various aspects of life. Then the citizen could enjoy firstly, the environment blessing (air, water and food), secondly stability and security blessing and voluntarily economical participation in society’s development. Thirdly, keeping pace with progress and development and providing the required benefits. This is possible only through profound understanding, good will, donor ship and granting, participation, commendable initiative, and benefiting from mutuality of interests fully. Al-Harthi (2011).

Therefore, private sector, including non-governmental institutions of higher education like universities, colleges, and institutes should play a significant role in social responsibility, supporting government’s entities and sectors to achieve sustainable development, sharing success with the community, and finding many solutions in economic, social and environmental terms. The private sector may also participate by supporting social responsibility’s programs whether financially or by offering their support to those that do not require financial support. Meras (2010).

In addition, the performance of higher education institutions and developing it is a global interest for all nations worldwide. The most significant feature distinguishing any community is its ability to command its vital institutions and programs, not only effectively and efficiently, but also fairly and innovatively, whereby the size of services existing in higher education institutions is connected with administrative system, which makes the mission of a university is to act as a link through guiding the principles and ethics adopted by that university, given that the success of any institution is the success of its administration. Consequently, the importance of the commitment higher education institutions and their adherence to proper leadership with a comprehensive philosophy for continuous improvement in order to achieve the ultimate quality in universities, which needs participation of all the elements to ensure universities’ continuity. Boon (2008).