The development of university social engagement mission through community academic outreach for enhancing university uniqueness : a case study of Kasetsart University

Abstract

This research aimed at investigating the university uniqueness, characteristics of academic outreach, the context of local people’s participation in academic outreach programs/ activities, local community members’ opinions toward academic outreach undertaken by the university, university community outreach programs/activities through the application of a university social engagement concept as well as responses of target communities and guidelines for developing university social engagement missions through community outreach programs. The study sites were composed of Kasetsart University main office at Bang Khen and 3 satellite campuses: Kampaengsaen Campus; Si Racha Campus; and Chalermprakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus. The qualitative research method was primarily employed in the investigation in which data collection was done through in-depth interviews with 63 key informants drawn from 3 groups: university councils and administrative committee; social engagement experts, and leaders of selected local communities. This was supplemented with the quantitative research method in which a survey of members of selected local communities was undertaken with the sample size of 610. The purpose of this survey was to find out their opinions about the university outreach programs/activities and social engagement missions. The results reveal that university uniqueness is embracing the principles of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s work, together with the international sciences of the university and community sciences. However, there has not been an apparent process for strengthening and maintaining the uniqueness of the university. Yet, there are instruments to maintain the uniqueness and strength of the university through various activities. The outstanding university outreach programs are those related to agricultural occupation, which are concerned with the application of the bodies of knowledge that Kasetsart University has developed and accumulated over a long period of time. Even though there appears to be some applications of the social engagement concept in past outreach programs, they were not operated adequately systematic. Nevertheless, the longstanding reputation of the university, with respect to its work in the field of agricultural development, leads to highly positive responses from communities and society. However, the development of university social engagement missions should consider the importance of holistic development in certain areas and disciplines. At the same time, it should correspond to community problems and needs. Therefore, the university should be ready to develop its capacities of both administrators and staff to correspond to the advancement of the university social engagement missions as well as the career paths of its staff. The results are useful for the development of university social engagement missions through community outreach programs for appropriate university and community environments.