THE PRACTICE OF UNIVERSITY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GENERAL EDUCATION: PROMOTING COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT THROUGH MICRO-COURSES

TitleTHE PRACTICE OF UNIVERSITY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GENERAL EDUCATION: PROMOTING COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT THROUGH MICRO-COURSES
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsHuang, CK
JournalProblems of Education in the 21st Century
Volume82
Issue6A
Start Page1009-1028
PaginationContinuous
Date PublishedDecember/2024
Type of ArticleOriginal article
ISSN1822-7864
Other NumbersE-ISSN 2538-7111
Keywordscommunity-based tourism, general education, participatory action research, university social responsibility, university-community collaboration
Abstract

In an era of growing emphasis on sustainable development and the social responsibility of higher education, universities are increasingly seeking innovative ways to integrate learning with community engagement. This study aims to integrate University Social Responsibility (USR) with general education through micro-courses focused on Community-Based Tourism (CBT) within a Participatory Action Research (PAR) framework. A research team from National Chiayi University collaborated closely with the Haomei community in Taiwan over a two-year period to co-develop courses covering religious traditions, industrial culture, historical heritage, and ecological conservation. These courses provided students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences. A total of 78 students from 28 academic disciplines participated, enhancing their sense of social responsibility and community engagement. The findings reveal five key factors essential for successful university-community collaboration: trust building, shared objectives, continuous communication, resource sharing, and adaptability. The study demonstrates that integrating USR with innovative educational practices can drive universities to become agents of social change. This model not only strengthens student learning and engagement but also promotes sustainable community development, offering a valuable framework for higher education institutions worldwide.

URLhttps://oaji.net/articles/2023/457-1737055482.pdf
DOI10.33225/pec/24.82.1009
Refereed DesignationRefereed
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