Reframing Islamic Higher Education as a Driver of Global Governance and Sustainable Business Ethics

Abstract

In an era of global interdependence, higher education institutions increasingly shape the moral and intellectual foundations of governance and business. This paper argues that Islamic higher education can serve as a transformative driver for global governance and sustainable business ethics by integrating Islamic epistemology, Maqasid al-Shariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a conceptual and qualitative literature approach, this study explores how Islamic universities can cultivate globally competent leaders who embody ethical accountability, justice, and sustainability. Through analyses of selected literature and models from Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, the paper highlights curriculum innovation, ethical entrepreneurship, and cross-border collaboration as mechanisms to embed sustainability within Islamic education. Findings suggest that reframing Islamic higher education as a catalyst for global governance bridges the ethical gap in modern capitalism and fosters a value-driven model for sustainable development. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations for integrating SDGs, global partnerships, and Islamic ethics into higher education governance.