132 Excellence in Higher Education
BRINGING WELLBEING TO THE FOREFRONT OF EDUCATION By Dr Cakil Agnew, Associate Professor of Psychology at Heriot-Watt University Dubai
T raditionally, success in education has been closely tied to academic achievement; this narrow focus is now being increasingly challenged. Across research, policy, and educational practice, a broader and more meaningful vision of success is now emerging; one that values not only cognitive development, but also the cultivation of emotional intelligence, ethical awareness, and social responsibility. Initiatives such as the OECD’s Future of Education and Skills 2030 project and
UNESCO’s focus on education for sustainable development reflect this shift, highlighting learner wellbeing, global citizenship, and the development of a broad set of cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Education, in this sense, is not merely a path to qualifications, but a process of shaping capable, compassionate individuals who can contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
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