Teaching Professors’ Challenges about Community Engagement Outreach and Intervention in Nigerian Universities
Journal Title: International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences - Year 2019, Vol 8, Issue 8
Abstract
Community engagement has been acknowledged as a core function of higher education, along with research and teaching which helps in promoting economic, environmental and socio-cultural development of communities. This article explores the barriers obstructing community engagement outreach and intervention in Nigerian higher education. Kwara State University, Malete, which adopted the philosophy of “the University for Community Development” is an interesting case in this study. Using in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews, nine professors of the university were asked to reflect on how they sustained community engagement participation at different stages in their academic career. From data analysis, even though there are documentary evidences on the remarkable successes been achieved and reported with regards to community engagement activities and outreaches by the professors which helped to sustain professional identities and, in turn, career development. Four factors were found to be a barrier obstructing the professors’ participation in community engagement activities and outreaches. These were, (a) Educational gap between academics and community members, (b) lack of funds to execute community development projects, (c) time constraint due to multiple engagements, and (d) resistant to change by community members. The discussion and recommendations of this study are timely, as it concludes with a number of crucial issues that future community engagement in Nigerian higher education needs to be addressed.
Authors and Affiliations
Samuel Outokunbo Adekalu, Steven Eric Krauss, Ismi Arif Ismail, Turiman Suandi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP565274
- DOI 10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i8/4458
- Views 89
- Downloads 0
Long Run Relationship between Income Inequality and Economic Growth: Evidence from Malaysia
The aim of present study is to investigate the existence of a long run relationship between income inequality and economic growth in Malaysia. The study has employed annual time series data over the period of 1970 up to...
Adventure Based Learning Module: Content Validity and Reliability Process
This study aims to examine the validity and reliability of Adventure Based Learning module on Basics Statistics for Institute of Teachers Education students using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Percentage Calculati...
Cash Waqf in Bangladesh and the Need for Innovative Approach towards Awqaf: Lessons from Selected Countries
This paper is an attempt to respond to the pressing needs to revive and explore the prospects of awqaf in Bangladesh. Awqaf in Bangladesh represents a sector with huge potentials for welfare oriented developments and the...
Transgender Coping Strategies Dealing with Family Members in Penang, Malaysia
This qualitative study was conducted in Penang, Malaysia. The study aims to analyze patterns of family member’s acceptance level due to their children’s transgender identity existence. In the same time, this study aims t...
Quantitative Model for Assessing the Impact of Reward System Elements on Hospital Efficiency
Healthcare managers considered employees' reward and performance as key elements of the work due to the challenges posed by the emigration phenomenon of employees in the industry, which leads to reduced patient satisfact...