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University Social Responsibility: Achieving Human and Social Development in Cameroon

Ondja'a, Bertin
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504792020919084

Abstract Details

2017, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Educational Studies.
As place-based institutions, higher education institutions (HEIs) have the intellectual capacity and resources, both private and public, to transform communities facing human and social development issues. As such, HEIs must revisit their role/contribution and recognize their social responsibility to remain relevant in today’s society. Indeed, social responsibility requires new community research and revitalization, job creation, teaching, and innovation. This study explores the role/contribution of Cameroonian HEIs in addressing human and social development issues through a qualitative case study of the University of Douala. More specifically, this study explored how the university advances development agendas through the use of interviews and a photovoice project, examining historical, social, and political events and practices that frame the role/contribution of HEIs in Cameroon. The findings suggest that HEIs are an important asset for the community and make significant educational, social, environmental, economic, and cultural contributions to the community. Specifically, the findings indicate the contribution of the University of Douala in the following areas: service, innovation, advocacy, leadership, and capacity building. Consequently, HEIs can help to advance human and social development. However, their contribution in these areas remains underutilized. Also, stakeholder engagement and lack of funding emerge as elements that downplay the contribution of the University of Douala in human and social development issues. Adaptive solutions for complex issues should consider the potential contribution of HEIs. This study concludes with recommendations and implications that aim to educate different stakeholders and practitioners on how HEIs can maximize their potential. En tant qu'institutions operant dans les territoires, les etablissements d'enseignement superieur possedent des capacites intellectuelles et materielles pouvant transformer les communautes confrontees aux problemes de developpement humain et social. En tant que tel, ils doivent regulierement actualiser leur engagement et mission envers la societe pour rester pertinent au regard d’un environnement instable et imprevisible. En tant que potentiel levier du developpement durable, ils doivent adopter la responsabilite sociale. En effet, la responsabilite sociale des universites (RSU) doit etre considerer comme etant un precurseur du reveil communautaire, creation d’emplois, developpement economique et durable, et innovation technologique. La presente etude explore l’apport des universites au developpement humain et social dans un contexte Camerounais. Une etude de cas qualitative realisee a l’Universite de Douala par le biais des entretiens et un projet photovoice et en tenant compte de l’environnement historique, social et politique dans lequel l’enseignement superieur s’est forge, cette etude demontre la capacite des universites a accompagner l’Etat dans ses multiples missions. Cependant, ces atouts restent largement sous-exploites. Dans le cas precis de l’Universite de Douala, le manque d’engouement des parties prenantes, l’organisation institutionnelle et l’absence de financement apparaissent comme etant des elements qui minimisent la contribution de l'Universite de Douala aux problemes de developpement humain et social dans son milieu. Projeter des solutions adaptees aux problemes complexes devrait tenir compte du potentielle des etablissements de l’enseignement superieur. Cette etude se termine par des prescriptions et des incidences qui visent a sensibiliser les agents de developpement sur la facon dont ces etablissements peuvent maximiser leur contribution au developpement humain et social.
Constance Kendall Theado, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Mary Brydon-Miller, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
David Edelman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Joseph Takougang, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
195 p.
Higher Education
University Social Responsibility; Photovoice; Regional Development; University Engagement; Human and Social Development; Growth Pole

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Citations

  • Ondja'a, B. (2017). University Social Responsibility: Achieving Human and Social Development in Cameroon [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504792020919084

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ondja'a, Bertin. University Social Responsibility: Achieving Human and Social Development in Cameroon. 2017. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504792020919084.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ondja'a, Bertin. "University Social Responsibility: Achieving Human and Social Development in Cameroon." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504792020919084

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1504792020919084
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© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.