Although researchers and educational administrators worldwide have considered Social Emotional Learning (SEL) as a critical component of holistic education, its application in higher education setting is few and far behind. Building on the emphasis of the National Education Policy (NEP, 2020) in India, which encourages the integration of experiential and project-based learning, the present paper tried to examine the potential benefits, challenges, and contextual considerations of embedding SEL into university curricula. Drawing inferences from existing literature and comparative analyses of SEL bases programs in various Asian countries, this paper highlights the ways in which SEL initiatives can foster emotional intelligence, resilience, and interpersonal skills among college going students.
An amalgamation of the findings from existing studies resulted in various key factors that influence successful integration of SEL into university curriculum. These include the need for culturally and contextually relevant program content, flexible alignment with existing academic structures, and targeted capacity-building for faculty and counsellors.
Insights from focused-group interviews of students conducted at a national university in northern India reveals both opportunities and obstacles that are relevant to be considered for ensuring the success of such programs in developing emotionally competent, resilient and socially responsible graduates. It indicates that students at higher education levels show enthusiasm for SEL adoption but also highlight challenges such as limited teacher-taught ratio, faculty preparedness, time constraints, and diverse student populations that must be addressed for ensuring success of such programs.
Conclusively, the findings of the study are important as they suggest that higher education can benefit significantly from incorporating SEL principles not only in terms of academic outcomes but also in forms of students' social and emotional development. These insights provide a foundation for policy recommendations, curriculum development, and contextual adaptation of SEL integration into higher education settings.