COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

<p>Higher education ought to impart service mindedness in the students. Learning activities have a visible impact for developing sensitivities towards community issues, gender disparities, social inequality etc. and in inculcating values and commitment to society. Mutual benefit through affiliation and interaction with groups or individuals who have an interest in the activities of the institution and ability to influence the actions, decisions, policies, practices or goals of the organization could help develop processes and strategies that relevantly sensitize students to social issues and contexts. Most of the extension activities are trying to build students leadership skills, communication skills, emotional intelligence and developing organizing skills in addition to make them responsible citizen with concern for society, environment and country at large. Hence studentparticipation in these extension programmes will help them to inculcate better citizenship in the society. It would complement their academic learning through improved communication, increased co-operation, enhanced discipline and exposure to social reality. Various strategies could be adopted by the institution either through partnership with organizations for extension and community engagement or address it in their own way through institutional NGO or collaborate variously with various agencies for different activities. In this paper an attempt is made to assess the community engagement initiatives adopted by higher education institutions to foster citizenship and service mindedness in students.</p>