The role of university in enhancing intellectual security and social and cultural coexistence among university students

This study examines the university role in promoting Intellectual Security (IS) and SCC among students. A descriptive survey design was employed, collecting data from 597 respondents (120 faculty members and 477 students) via an online questionnaire, using stratified random sampling across the scientific, health, and humanities colleges. Results indicated a moderate level of the university's impact on IS (M = 3.63) and SCC (M = 3.60). Significant differences in perceptions were found based on respondent category, with faculty rating both IS (η 2 = 0.017, small effect) and SCC (η 2 = 0.027, small effect) more positively than students. No significant differences were observed for gender or faculty type, with negligible to small effect sizes (η 2 ranging from 0.001 to 0.005 for IS; 0.003 to 0.004 for SCC). The study concludes that university moderately enhances IS and social coexistence but highlights the need for more proactive strategies. It recommends a comprehensive Islamic educational approach emphasizing moderation, critical thinking, tolerance, and resilience against extremist ideologies through awareness programs, extracurricular activities, and curricular integration. • Najran University shows a moderate impact on intellectual security. • Faculty members give higher ratings than students on intellectual security. • No gender or college-type differences were found in intellectual security. • Effect sizes across comparison groups ranged from negligible to small. • Study recommends proactive educational strategies to strengthen intellectual security.