Perception on the Community Engagement of Students of Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Higher education institutions play a very important role in the sustainable economic and social development of a country. They provide a platform to its students for developing and enhancing their academic, social, and employability skills. In developing countries like India, there is a large proportion of the population deprived of quality education. This is where civil societies play a pivotal role, they work for the upliftment and equality in society. The present study attempts to explore the ways through which higher education institutions can encourage its students in imparting knowledge, they are receiving, to the community students or weaker section of the society. A community-based participatory approach has been adopted to get the perception of the stakeholders; students, faculty and representatives of civil societies. According to the stakeholders, there is a gap between the higher education institutions and weaker sections of the society and higher education institutions can provide its students a strong platform for active community engagement. According to practitioners, for active community engagement of students, it is essential that there is a strong political will at the institutional level and compassion for the upliftment of society is required at the student level. From the perception of stakeholders, the development of curriculum for the students of HEI for the community engagement will sensitize students.

Keywords: Higher Education, Community Based Participatory Research, Sustainable Education