This article is based on an assessment of the community participation process during the implementation of various activities under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), a programme designed to facilitate higher education institutions’ (HEIs) engagement with the rural community. Drawing from field study in four villages in the state of Haryana, India, the article provides an experiential account of the participatory process in rural India. The narrative that emerges from community assessment highlights the following challenges: lack of continuity, community fatigue, cultural gaps, lack of awareness, community expectations and rapport building. Specifically, the article reflects upon tensions and challenges that surfaced during community mobilisation and the way they hindered community participation. To address these gaps and to harness the potential of university–community partnership, the article suggests institutionalising the value of participation and empathy among the HEIs.
AgusdinataD. B. (2022). The role of universities in SDGs solution co-creation and implementation: A human-centered design and shared-action learning process. Sustainability Science, 17, 1589–1604.
2.
AhmadM. S., & TalibN. B. A. (2011). Decentralization and participatory rural development: A literature review. Contemporary Economics, 5(4), 58–67.
3.
AhmedS. M., BeckB., MauranaA., & NewtonG. (2004). Overcoming barriers to effective community-based participatory research in US medical schools. Education for Health, 17(2), 141–151.
4.
AlbertM.-N., & CoutureM.-M. (2014). To explore new avenues: Experiential testimonio research. Management Decision, 52(4), 794–812.
5.
AssarroudiA., NabaviF. H., ArmatM. R., EbadiA., & VaismoradiM. (2018). Directed qualitative content analysis: The description and elaboration of its underpinning methods and data analysis process. Journal of Research in Nursing, 23(1), 42–55. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987117741667
6.
AvenierM.-J. (2010). Shaping a constructivist view of organizational design science. Organization Studies, 31(9), 1229–1255.
7.
BengtssonM. (2016). How to plan and perform a qualitative study using content analysis. NursingPlus Open, 2, 8–14.
8.
BoodramC.-A. S., & ThomasS. O. (2022). Social work and community engagement: A case study of a university/community collaborative project in Trinidad and Tobago. The International Journal of Community and Social Development, 4(4), 396–410. https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026221125314
9.
BoyerE. L. (1990). Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate. Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
10.
BuysN., & BursnallS. (2007). Establishing university–community partnerships: Processes and benefits. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 29(1), 73–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600800601175797
11.
Cobo-GomezJ. C. (2024). Social innovation in university-community partnerships in Latin America: Exploring collaborative models. Sustainable Technology and Entrepreneurship, 3(2), 100061.
12.
CoelhoD. A., CouvinhasA. F., PaulB., FerraraP. R., & WalterJ. (2015). The field diaries: An innovative participatory methodology. Proceedings of 19th Triennial Congress of the IEA, held during 9–14 August 2015. Melbourne.
13.
CohenJ. M., & UphoffN. T. (1980). Participation’s place in rural development seeking clarity through specificity. World Development, 8(3), 213–235.
14.
CurwoodS. E., MungerF., MitchellT., MackeiganM., & FarrarA. (2011). Building effective community-university partnerships: Are universities truly ready?Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 17(2), 15–26. http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.3239521.0017.202
15.
DaviesR. M. (1996). Industry–university collaborations: A necessity for the future. Journal of Dentistry, 24(1–2), 3–5.
16.
EderM., Carter-EdwardsL., HurdT. C., RumalaB. B., & WallersteinN. (2013). A logic model for community engagement within the clinical and translational science awards consortium: Can we measure what we model?Academic Medicine, 88(10), 1430–1436. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0b013e31829b54ae
17.
ElaineM., & MahmoodM. W. (2024). Introductions: University-community links & core commitments for transformative education. In MahmoodM. W., ElaineM., & CanoJ. (Eds.), University-community partnership for transformative education (pp. 3–30). Palgrave Macmillan Cham.
18.
EmrichK. R. (1984). Legal dissemination in rural areas: The international perspective. Thailand Conference. Bangkok.
19.
FahrenwaldC., ReschK., RamederP., FellnerM., Slepcevic-ZachP., & KnappM. (2023). Taking the lead for campus-community-partnerships in Austria. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1206536. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1206536
20.
FilhoW. L., DibbernT., TrevisanL. V., CristofolettiE. C., DinisM. A. P., MatandirotyaN., SierraJ., ShullaK., ButtrissG., DecostaL. P., MbahM. F., & SanniM. (2023). Mapping universities-communities partnerships in the delivery of the sustainable development goals. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11, 1246875. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1246875
21.
GlassL.-M., & NewigJ. (2019). Governance for achieving the sustainable development goals: How important are participation, policy coherence, reflexivity, adaptation and democratic institutions?Earth System Governance, 2, 100031.
22.
GliedS., WittenbergR., & IsraeliA. (2018). Research in government and academia: The case of health policy. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, 7, 35.
23.
GlimmerveenL., YbemaS., & NiesH. (2021). Who participates in public participation? The exclusionary effects of inclusionary efforts. Administration & Society, 54(4), 543–574. https://doi.org/10.1177/00953997211034137
24.
HainsB. J., & HainsK. D. (2023). Symbiotic university-community partnerships: The good, the bad & the ugly. Community Development, 55(3), 407–419. https://doi-org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/10.1080/15575330.2023.2210645
25.
HarrisonB., & LyonE. S. (1993). A note on ethical issues in the use of autobiography in sociological research. Sociology, 27(1), 101–109.
26.
HeronJ., & ReasonP. (1981). Co-counselling: An experiential inquiry. Human Potential Research Project, University of Surrey.
27.
HicksS., DuranB., WallersteinN., AvilaM., BeloneL., LuceroJ., MagaratiM., MainerE., MartinD., MuhammadM., OetzelJ., PearsonC., SahotaP., SimondsV., SussmanA., TafoyaG., & HatE. W. (2012). Evaluating community-based participatory research to improve community-partnered science and community health. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 6(3), 289–299. https://doi.org/10.1353/cpr.2012.0049
28.
IwabuchiY. (2018). University and community partnerships for sustainable urban development in Okayama, Japan. In FadeevaZ., GalkuteL. & ChhokarK. (Eds.), Academia and communities: Engaging for change, UNU-IAS (pp. 194–207). United Nations University.
29.
MartinezL. S., PeréaF. C., UrsilloA., WeeksF. H., Goldstein-GelbW., & BruggeD. (2012). A democratic university-community administrative body dedicated to expanding community-engaged research: The Tufts Community Research Center (TCRC). Community Development, 44(1), 97–110. https://doi-org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/10.1080/15575330.2012.678873
30.
MelaK., & BelloM. F. (2023). Community participatory development in Nigeria: Benefits and challenges. Journal of Good Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa (JGGSDA), 7(3), 48–67. https://ssrn.com/abstract=4392611
31.
MinklerM. (2005). Community-based research partnerships: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Urban Health, 82(2 Suppl 2), ii3–12. https://doi.org/10.1093/jurban/jti034
32.
MokukuT. (2018). A mountainous journey in Lesotho: Seeking university-community engagement. In FadeevaZ., GalkuteL., & ChhokarK. (Eds.), Academia and communities: Engaging for change, UNU-IAS (pp. 47–57). United Nations University.
33.
MorganD. L. (2002). Focus group interviewing. In GubriumJ. F. & HolsteinJ. A. (Eds.), Handbook of interviewing research: Context & method (pp. 141– 159). Sage Publications.
34.
National Curriculum Framework & Guidelines. (2023). Fostering social responsibility & community engagement in higher educational institutions in India. https://www.ugc.gov.in/e-book/UNNAT%20BHARAT%20ABHIYAN.pdf
35.
OakleyP. (1998). Community development in the third world in the 1990s. Community Development Journal, 33(4), 365–76. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44258806
36.
O’DonoghueR. (2018). Higher education and sustainability: A review of some ESD trajectories of risk, learning and change in a Southern African curriculum context. In GalkuteF. & Chhokar** (Eds.), Academia and communities: Engaging for change, UNU-IAS (pp. 146–155). United Nations University.
37.
Osei-HwedieK., & Osei-HwedieB. Z. (2010). Participatory development. In PawarM. S. & DavidR. C. (Eds.), Social development critical themes and perspectives (pp. 57–75). Routledge.
38.
PandeyA. K., & MotiS. (2024). Teaching and learning rural governance in law schools: An account of an experiment with clinical legal education. The Law Teacher, 58(2), 201–216.
39.
PawarM. S. (2010). Community development in Asia and the Pacific. Routledge.
40.
PawarM. (2017). The need for enhanced community participation. In MidgleyJ. & PawarM. (Eds.), Future directions in social development. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-44598-8_5
41.
PawarM. (2020). Community development approaches, activities, and issues. In Community practice and social development in social work (pp. 263–280). Springer Nature.
42.
RamosE., & Delgado-SerranoM. D. M. (2005). Higher education for rural development: The experience of the University of Cordoba. FAO and IIEP.
43.
RossL. E., LoupA., NelsonR. A., BotkinJ. R., KostR., SmithG. R., & GehlertS. (2010). The challenges of collaboration for academic and community partners in a research partnership: Points to consider. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 5(1), 19–31. https://doi.org/10.1525/jer.2010.5.1.19
44.
SavanB. (2004). Community–university partnerships: Linking research and action for sustainable community development. Community Development Journal, 39(4), 372–384. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsh033
45.
SimondsV. W., WallersteinN., DuranB., & VillegasM. (2013). Community-based participatory research: Its role in future cancer research and public health practice. Preventing Chronic Disease, 10, E78. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd10.120205
46.
SmithK., & TichenorM. (2018). The value of service-learning in addressing community problems. In FadeevaZ., GalkuteL., & ChhokarL. (Eds.), Academia and communities: Engaging for change, UNU-IAS (pp. 185–193). United Nations University.
47.
StrierR. (2011). The construction of university-community partnerships: Entangled perspectives. Higher Education, 62(1), 81–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-010-9367-x
48.
Suarez-BalcazarY., HarperG. W., & LewisR. (2005). An interactive and contextual model of community–university collaborations for research and action. Health Education & Behavior, 32(1), 84–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198104269512
49.
SubramanianS. M., & PayyappallimanaU. (2018). Peer learning methods for transformative education towards achieving biodiversity and development goals on the ground. In FadeevaZ., GalkuteL., & ChhokarK. (Eds.), Academia and communities: Engaging for change, UNU-IAS (pp. 133–142). United Nations University.
50.
TrencherG., YarimeM., McCormickK. B., DollC. N. H., & KrainesS. B. (2014). Beyond the third mission: Exploring the emerging university function of co-creation for sustainability. Science and Public Policy, 41(2), 151–179. https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/sct044
51.
UBA. (2023). Advancing initiatives in rural areas by participating institutes (PI) under UBA. https://unnatbharatabhiyan.gov.in/#progress
52.
UGC. (2023). The body that regulates higher education in India. https://www.ugc.gov.in
University Grants Commission. (2022). Guidelines for fostering social responsibility and community engagement in higher education institutions in India 2.0. https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/4187860_Revised-Final-Guidelines.pdf
55.
VaterlausJ. M., SkograndL., HigginbothamB. J., & BradfordK. (2022). Sustaining university-community partnerships in providing relationship education. Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship, 9(2), 34–41.
56.
WilliamsonH. J., YoungB. R., MurrayN., BurtonD. L., LevinB. L., MasseyO. T., & BaldwinJ. A. (2016). Community-university partnerships for research and practice: Application of an interactive and contextual model of collaboration. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 20(2), 55–84.
