University-City Interaction and Perception in Terms of Social Change: The Case of Bülent Ecevit University

• Main Authors: Hasan SANKIR, Şebnem SANKIR
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bülent Ecevit University 2017-12-01
• Series: Yükseköğretim ve Bilim Dergisi
• Subjects: University perception; Socio-economic change; Socio-cultural change; University-city interaction
• Online Access: http://higheredu-sci.beun.edu.tr/pdf.php3?id=1777

The role of universities in the global world is becoming more diverse with the developments in information technology and the acceleration of globalization. Universities undertake new and different roles including local, regional and global dynamics besides their basic functions such as training and scientific activities. At the present time, universities stand out as the main actors of social change by contributing to environmental development, increasing economical capacity and building up cultural and social capital. In this manner, universities serve as social actors that play a key role in the development of their region. As a result of the contributions of the universities, an interaction with city people occurs and an organic bond begins to arise. With the increasing number of universities, the interest in city-university interaction is increasing. Therewithal, the number of studies in this direction is very little in literature. In this sense, the aim of the study is to determine the interaction of a university with city and how economic, social and cultural contributions of Bülent Ecevit University (BEÜ) are perceived by city people. For this purpose, a field study using both qualitative and quantitative data collection method was performed. In quantitative study a questionnaire that consists of 77 questions was conducted on 844 participants. In qualitative study, a face to face interviews with non-governmental organizations operating in the city, media organizations, chambers, city representatives were carried out. The result showed a strong and mutual interaction between BEÜ and city people. Also, it is found that the university is an important actor that contributes to social, economic and cultural development of the city. In this manner, Zonguldak community thinks that university has a positive effect on city.