Biomimicry Potentials for Sustainable Student Financing in Higher Education

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-630-7_7How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Biomimicry; Higher Education; Nature; South Africa; Student Finance; Sustainable Development Goal 4

Abstract

The high cost of higher education globally has become a major challenge to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDG 4), which aims to ensure an inclusive and equitable quality education. Overcoming this barrier requires introducing a sustainable student financing model that can bridge the wide gap between the various societal classes, especially in developing countries like South Africa. Biomimicry, the study of natural models, systems, strategies and elements to sustainably solve complex human challenges, offers an innovative framework for addressing the financial challenges faced by students in higher education. Hence, this paper explores the potential of biomimicry to foster sustainable and resilient financing mechanisms, drawing parallels from nature’s inherent efficiency, adaptability, and self-sustenance. Drawing inspiration from the symbiotic relationships that exist in biotic and abiotic entities in nature, a financing model that promotes mutual benefit, equity, and inclusivity can be envisioned. This paper provides examples of nature-inspired models around decentralisation, efficient and effective resource allocation, cyclical processes, collaboration and symbiosis, and resilience, which can serve as a potent wellspring for sustainably revolutionising higher education student financing. Lessons drawn from these natural models offer a sustainable student finance framework that can enhance resilience and equity, ensuring that financial support reaches a broader and more diverse student population. Conclusively, a mutually beneficial, equitable, and sustainable higher educational landscape for the present and future generations can be cultivated by drawing inspiration from nature’s wisdom. It is recommended that multi-stakeholder collaboration and cooperation be embraced to ensure a successful outcome that will subsequently drive the achievement of SDG 4.

Copyright

© 2024 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Olusegun Aanuoluwapo Oguntona
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024/12/31
TI  - Biomimicry Potentials for Sustainable Student Financing in Higher Education
BT  - Proceedings of the Focus Conference (TFC 2024)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 119
EP  - 128
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-630-7_7
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-630-7_7
ID  - Oguntona2024
ER  -