University- Community Interaction

Khaled S. Al-Sultan

Rector, King Fahd University of

Petroleum & Minerals

University- Community Interaction

Khaled S. Al-Sultan

Rector, King Fahd University of

Petroleum & Minerals

November 28, 2004

Introduction

Provides interaction between the university and the community. Addresses issues that confront a community such as health,

environment, hunger, mentoring, aging, the disabled, literacy, economic, manufacturing and service problems, etc.

Breaks barriers of misunderstanding and develops awareness of a community need.

Increases awareness of the link between university and community.

Provides great potential for mutual benefits. Provides students, faculty, staff and alumni with opportunities to

address the critical concerns of the community.

The Roles of the University

Transfer or dissemination of knowledge

Teaching

Creation of knowledge

Research

Application of knowledge

Community Service

The University Model (Historical Perspective)

The Islamic University (800’s – 1000’s).

The Medieval University (1100’s – 1300’s).

The Renaissance University (1400’s – 1700’s).

The Land-grant University (1800’s – 1900’s).

The Modern University (1900’s – 2000’s).

The outreach university

The engaged university

The productiveuniversity

The Engaged University Model

The engaged university is a recent perspective of higher education for urban universities.

It supports research and teaching to address specific needs of the community.

It integrates the teaching, research, and service functions of the university in an interdisciplinary manner.

It promotes partnerships with public agencies and the community for broad public affairs and civic interests.

It engages its faculty, students, and staff with interests outside the university as it develops new ways to pursue its functions.

The above is done in an institutional and strategic way, and not just ad-hoc in individual courses, projects or partnerships.

Benefits

Students Benefits

Students get much more experience than they expect. Have a unique way of developing an individual's leadership skills,

sense of community, self-esteem, and other personal characteristics.

Increases students learning, personal skills and professional development.

Enhances students communication and team work skills. An opportunity to explore possible careers and experience the

“real-world”. Foster mutual learning & prepare students for responsible

citizenship.

Benefits

Students Benefits Cont.

Provide chances to link classroom to real life. An opportunity to gain hands on experience. Challenges the way a student thinks about himself and the World

around him. An opportunity to know and work with people different than

themselves. Encourages active and responsible membership in the community.

Benefits

Faculty Benefits

An opportunity to gain practical experience that can be reflected in the classroom teaching.

Provide a source of interesting ideas and challenging problems to address and incorporate in course instruction.

A vehicle for empowerment. Provide potential for growth and leadership. Encourage active and responsible membership. An opportunity to develop contacts. Awareness and understanding of the mutual interplay of current

practices. Identification of areas of further attention and new directions.

Benefits

Benefits to the University

Fulfill its obligation towards the community. Contribute to the economic development and advancement of

local communities and the nation. Help in financing some programs. Enhance and broaden the education of the next generation of

scientists and engineers. Facilitate the university’s active involvement as a trusted member

of the community. Facilitate commercialization of the results of the university

research.

BenefitsBenefits to Community.

The community gains resources and services. Transfer of knowledge from students and faculty to community

members. Influence direction of research. Awareness and access to new technologies. Influence of curriculum development. Access to highly skilled faculty members and students (graduate

seniors). Better evaluation of students competence. Networking. Potential savings.

OpportunitiesCommunity Service experience will provide persons involved with the opportunity to: Think critically and solve problems. Recognize and address the needs of the community. Personal Development. Make a difference. Learn to care about people with different cultures and life styles. Experience the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile for the

community. Explore career options. Participation in achieving the organization's goals. Understand and study relevant issues in practice. Transfer of knowledge.

KFUPM EffortsI Teaching and Training.

Short Courses. Diploma Program. Community Colleges. Course Sponsorship. Executive Training. Personal skills program. Gifted Students Program.

KFUPM Efforts

I. Teaching and Training [Cont.]

Tutoring youth ages six to seventeen and participate in recreational activities.

Assisting foreign residents in their understanding of the Countries language and enhance their experience in the country.

English Language Center. Summer activities.

KFUPM Efforts (Cont.)

II. Research, Consulting, and Innovation

Research Institute. Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Science Park. Entrepreneurship program. Business Incubator. Funded Chairs. Tackling problems of importance to the community. Societal studies in topics of interest to the community. Publishing and authoring books and pamphlets on

subjects of interest to the community.

KFUPM Efforts (Cont.)

II. Research, Consulting, and Innovation [Cont.]

Consultation services for Private and Pubic Sector Organizations.

Holding public lectures and seminars on the subject of interest to the community.

Organizing workshops and discussion forums on subjects of interest to the community.

Organizing conferences and symposia.

KFUPM Efforts (Cont.)

III. Others

Access to the library. Organizing sports activities that are open to public. Access to physical education facilities. Participation in committees and boards. High school students visits to KFUPM departments. Organizing exhibitions of interest to the public. University Schools. University Kindergarten and nursery. Advisory bodies for departments and colleges. Scientific societies. Introducing the wonders of science to the elementary

school students with different hands-on experiments.

Concerns in University-Community Interaction

There is a risk of loosing the university’s objectivity and credibility.

There is a risk of overdoing it where the university is entrusted to solve problems which are not amenable to knowledge-intensive educational effort, or if the university does not command the needed knowledge.

The university obviously has limitations, which may not be apparent to the community.

The university could become training institute and a consulting office.

The university may loose control over faculty. The university may become more interested in making

money than advancing and disseminating knowledge, and protecting integrity.

ConclusionsSuggestions for boosting University-

Community Interaction

Increase funding for projects addressing community issues. Support training initiatives to identify best practices,

models, and needs of partnership. Establish (strengthen) community service centers at

universities. Identify and support a reward structure for both community

and academic participants. Encourage alliances and consortia.

Thank YouThank You