Effects of the information revolution on sustainable development in higher education institutions

Abstract

The Information Revolution has profoundly impacted sustainable development in higher education institutions (HEIs). The internet and digital resources have transformed information access, providing students and faculty with immediate access to the latest research, trends, and practices in sustainability. Online platforms enable global collaboration among institutions, researchers, and students, fostering partnerships and sharing best practices. E-learning and digital tools have democratized education, enabling institutions to offer sustainability courses to a broader audience, including remote and underserved populations. There is a perceived need for research that analyzes information-sustainability links in higher education contexts. Against this background, this paper examines the role of ICT in sustainable development in higher education. By conducting a bibliometric systematic literature review, this research assesses 96 studies published between 2015 and 2024 to identify key trends, authorship, collaboration patterns, and theme clusters. The results indicate that ICT applications—including e-learning platforms, remote sensing tools, gamification, and digital learning technologies—significantly enhance HEIs’ roles in sustainable education, environmental monitoring, and operational efficiency. However, the digital divide hampers SDG attainment, and insufficient ICT integration threatens HEI’s sustainability role. To mitigate these challenges, we propose practical implications tailored to HEIs’ stakeholders and regions and future directions to advance sustainability in education.