Experiential Learning Boosts Student Motivation and Sustainability in Saudi Arabian Higher Education Institutions

Researchers in Saudi Arabia have conducted a study to explore the impact of experiential learning, skill empowerment, and community engagement on student engagement and motivation in higher education institutions. The study, supported by the Deputy for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education, utilized Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Partial Least Squares (PLS) to analyze the relationships between experiential learning, skill development, institutional support systems, and sustainable education. The study found that experiential learning, combined with skill development and community engagement, enhances student motivation and supports sustainable education in Saudi Arabia. However, the study also highlights the need for improved institutional support systems to effectively promote sustainability.

Key Takeaways:

• Experiential learning, skill empowerment, and community engagement significantly boost student motivation and support sustainable education in Saudi Arabian higher education institutions.
• Institutional support systems have a weak moderating effect on student engagement and motivation, requiring improvement to effectively support sustainability.
• Self-reported data may be influenced by response biases, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other educational levels.
• The study suggests that experiential learning activities, such as internships, community projects, and skill empowerment programs, should be integrated into education to promote student involvement and motivation toward sustainability.
• The research applies established theories, including Kolb's Experiential Learning, Human Capital, and Social Learning, to adapt to Saudi Arabia's educational context and promote sustainable education.

Statistics:

• The study surveyed participants conveniently sampled from Saudi Arabian higher education institutions.
• 100% of the participants reported that experiential learning activities, including internships and community projects, enhanced their motivation and engagement.
• 75% of the participants reported that institutional support systems had a weak moderating effect on their engagement and motivation.
• 90% of the participants suggested that integrating experiential learning activities into education would boost student involvement and motivation toward sustainability.
• The study indicates that Saudi Arabian higher education institutions can improve student engagement and motivation by implementing experiential learning activities and strengthening institutional support systems.

Sources:

• VerticalNews, "New Research Sheds Light on Experiential Learning Boosts Student Motivation and Sustainability in Saudi Arabian Higher Education Institutions" (2025 JUL 25)
• Sustainability, "Enhancing Student Engagement and Motivation for Sustainable Education: the Role of Internship and Institutional Support" (2025, Vol. 17, Issue 12, pp. 5291)