*2.1. Functions of General Education*

The surge in general education has been attributed to various factors by scholars, policymakers, and pundits. These factors include the increasing demand for well-rounded workers in the current and future economy, the need to educate individuals who can tackle complex global issues beyond their specific areas of expertise, the imperative for higher education to address ethical, individual, and social responsibilities alongside imparting knowledge and skills, and the importance of granting students the freedom to choose their career paths instead of pressuring them into potentially unsuitable professions at a young age. General education serves multiple functions that include student learning, communal well-being, and institutional purposes. These functions underscore the significance of general education in shaping individuals, society, and educational institutions.

One of the primary functions of general education is to facilitate student learning by promoting a broad range of student learning outcomes. These include developing intellectual proficiencies, fostering ethical and meaningful engagement, and providing a holistic education [11–13]. Through general education, students acquire essential concepts, methodologies, and knowledge in various disciplines [14]. Additionally, general education emphasizes the development of intellectual skills that enable students to make sense of information and their own lives and to apply knowledge for ethical purposes. It aims to produce well-rounded individuals equipped with the intellectual capacities necessary for employment in today's context [15].

Beyond individual learning, general education also plays a role in fostering communal well-being. It contributes to the formation of an educated citizenry and cultivates a sense of public responsibility [16]. General education is viewed as a means of preparing students who will actively contribute to building a more equitable society and a global community. It strives to achieve democratic outcomes and global learning and aims to create inclusive and just societies. By fostering knowledge, awareness, and actionable consciousness, general education seeks to empower students to become active agents for the betterment of their communities.

Moreover, general education serves institutional purposes by providing integration and imprinting a mission and identity on the educational program. In the complex landscape of college students' lives, general education offers a unique context for integrative learning [13]. It allows students to make connections and meanings across diverse academic disciplines and experiences. By facilitating integrative learning, general education helps students navigate the fragmented nature of their education and develop a comprehensive understanding of knowledge. Additionally, general education influences an institution's educational program and reflects its mission and identity. It contributes to framing and fulfilling the overall educational philosophy of a college or university [17,18]. The general education curriculum, which is mandatory for all students, becomes a reflection of an institution's values, goals, and educational mission [19]. Thus, general education plays a critical role in shaping the institutional identity and ensuring that the educational program aligns with the institution's overarching mission.
