Institutional Capacity and Level of Engagement in Community Outreach Initiatives: A Study of Degree Colleges in Punjab

Abstract

This study examines the institutional capacity and level of engagement in community outreach programs within degree colleges of Punjab. As higher education institutions play a crucial role in societal development, the effectiveness of their outreach initiatives has become increasingly important in fostering community linkages. The research explores how institutional resources, leadership, and infrastructure influence the success and sustainability of outreach programs. It was quantitative study the nature of the study was descriptive and survey type. All principals, and teachers of degree colleges in government degree colleges of Punjab was population of the study. There are total number of 618 degree colleges in Punjab, in which 12827 are the teaching staff in all degree colleges in Punjab. The sample of the study was selected at three stages. At first stage, 09 districts out of all 36 districts of Punjab were selected randomly. At the second stage, one male degree college and one female degree college from each district, total 18 colleges (09 male +09 female) were selected as a sample of the study. At the third stage, one principal of each sample college and 30 students and 10 teachers were systematically selected from each college.  Systematically sampling techniques was used in the selection of the sample. In this way total number of students, teachers and principals were 540, 180 and 18 respectively. Self-developed questionnaires were used as research tools. Three questionnaires were used one for students, second for teachers and third for heads of the institutes. Validity of the research tools were ensured through expert opinions while the reliability of the questionnaires for this study were determined through the Cronbach Alpha. The questionnaires were administered through prepaid postage and e-mail to the respective respondents but where applicable these were handed over to the respondents personally and through friends. The male respondents were also reminded through telephone calls. Data was cleaned and codified before undertaking its statistical analysis with the help of SPSS. Statistical tools including mean, standard deviation and t-test was used for this purpose.