Magdalena Gaete-Sepulveda Highlights the Role of Social Responsibility and Social Entrepreneurship in the 5GU Model at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
The Head of the Laboratory for Reputation Management in Education at HSE University – Saint Petersburg, participated as an invited speaker at the strategic expert session “Ensuring the Quality of Educational Programmes: Academic Approaches and Innovative Solutions” hosted by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
On February 20th, 2025, Prof. Magdalena A. Gaete-Sepulveda, Head of the Laboratory for Reputation Management in Education at HSE University – Saint Petersburg, participated as an invited speaker at the strategic expert session “Ensuring the Quality of Educational Programmes: Academic Approaches and Innovative Solutions” hosted by Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Prof. Gaete-Sepulveda, an expert in university reputation, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable higher education, shared insights from her research on the evolving role of universities in a rapidly changing global context. Drawing from her work on the Fifth Generation University (5GU) concept, she highlighted how modern universities must balance tradition and innovation to remain competitive and socially relevant in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) and BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible) world.
In her presentation, Prof. Gaete-Sepulveda emphasized several strategic priorities for universities aiming to thrive in the new educational paradigm: fostering a culture of resilience and adaptability, nurturing emotionally intelligent leadership, implementing agile practices, and reinforcing wellbeing and engagement among staff and students. She underscored the importance of robust governance cycles and transparent communication to build trust with both internal and external stakeholders.
She also emphasized the crucial connection between the Fifth Generation University model and the concept of social responsibility, arguing that socially responsible universities are better equipped to fulfill their third mission — creating meaningful societal impact beyond teaching and research. Prof. Gaete-Sepulveda advocated for integrating social entrepreneurial education as a core element of sustainable universities, enabling students and faculty to co-create innovative solutions for pressing social and environmental challenges.
Reflecting on the session, Prof. Gaete-Sepulveda stated:
“Universities today are expected not only to educate but also to co-create social and economic value with their communities. To achieve this, they must develop relational capital, innovate responsibly, and embrace their third mission through impactful partnerships and a commitment to social entrepreneurship education as a driver of sustainability.”
The Laboratory for Reputation Management in Education extends its gratitude to Al-Farabi Kazakh National University for this valuable exchange and looks forward to strengthening collaborative ties to advance sustainable, socially responsible, and entrepreneurial higher education across the region.