Altruism in the Strategic Orientations of Universities and Behavioral Practices

This article examines altruism as a social phenomenon manifested in the educational policies of federal universities and the behavioral practices of student youth. In the context of shaping a new global paradigm in higher education as a sociocultural system, the cultivation of traditional spiritual and moral values has gained increasing relevance. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from social and humanitarian research, we define the essential conceptual characteristics of altruism and analyze their alignment with regulatory documents governing educational practices in universities. Our findings indicate that while the term “altruism” is absent in official regulations, its principles are implicitly embedded in traditional values such as patriotism, civic responsibility, compassion, justice, collectivism, and mutual aid. An empirical sociological study (online survey, n = 270; semi-structured interviews, n = 34) revealed that young people exhibit a strong inclination toward altruistic behavior in daily life, motivated by concern for others and a desire to contribute positively to society. These interpretative models of altruism form the foundation for a moral framework that could be institutionalized through policy, reinforcing students’ prosocial behavior and mitigating egocentric attitudes.