Awareness of Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth (SDG 8) and Its Contribution on Students’ Academic Success: A Correlational Study

Awareness of Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth (SDG 8) plays a crucial role in influencing students' academic success by shaping their attitudes, engagement, and understanding of sustainable economic growth principles. This study examined the relationship between students' awareness of SDG 8 and its contribution to their academic performance at Pilgrim Christian College. Specifically, it sought to determine how students' perceptions, engagement in SDG 8-related activities, and attitudes toward sustainable economic growth influenced their GPA, class participation, and overall academic success. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, utilizing Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis to process data from 118 respondents across various academic programs. The results revealed that students’ attitudes toward SDG 8 and its perceived relevance to their academic growth had a significant positive correlation with GPA (r = 0.370, p = 0.002) and academic engagement (r = 0.427, p < 0.05). However, awareness of SDG 8 principles and participation in related activities did not show a significant impact on academic success. These findings suggest that students’ recognition of the relevance of SDG 8 to their personal and academic development is essential for enhancing their academic outcomes. The study recommends integrating SDG 8 into academic curricula, fostering greater engagement in SDG-related activities, and promoting positive attitudes toward sustainability. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on sustainability education and its potential role in improving student success in higher education, thus supporting the development of future academic policies and sustainability initiatives, promoting long-term academic, social, and societal impact, and future global development.