Community service functions of higher education institutions and socio-economic development in Uganda

Abstract

This study examined the link between community service functions of higher education institutions (HEIs) and socio-economic development of localities around these institutions. The study set out to: explore the forms and strategies used by institutions in promoting the community service function; find out the contribution of community service to local socio-economic development endeavors in Uganda; and examine the linkage of HEIs research and teaching to community service. Utilizing the interpretive approach and the general collaborative theory, the research was done among three higher Institutions of learning i.e. Uganda Management Institute, Makerere and Gulu Universities where teaching and administrative staff participated in the study. Findings show that there are many strategies used by staff and students in community service, but community service lacks a comprehensive strategy at HEIs level. The contribution of community service to local socio-economic development is not necessarily explicit in communities but the function is intertwined with research and education which all in the end contribute to socio-economic development. Community service is not deliberately linked to socio-economic development of localities as it is linked to promotion of staff and students learning. Besides, community service interventions in many institutions of higher learning are inadequately resourced and lack systematic approach to working for community transformation. The study recommends that for community service to be meaningful, it has to be beneficial to the communities too. There is need to develop costed institutional strategies for community service and development of documentation mechanisms for community service interventions by university actors.