| Summary: | In response to changing social, political and economic realities in their own societies, many universities and colleges in the developing countries are departing significantly from a philosophy which strictly adheres to traditional academic, familiar and basic functions of teaching and research, and are moving towards a more utilitarian role; several of these institutions have made the adage: 'take the college out to the community and bring the community into the college', an implicit part of their working philosophy. By 'community', they mean the vast majority of people living in the rural countryside. However, the task of understanding this emerging role is complex, and past efforts have met with increasing frustrations. Observers in education and development in the developing countries are now asking the question: What are the factors which characterize a successful relationship between higher educational institutions and the process and practice of rural development? The purpose of this research study is to examine, by a case study approach, the rural development activities of a number of higher learning institutions in India, using an analytical framework based on an intensive research of theories and practice of education and development. This is further supplemented by a series of actual field interviews and discussions with staff/faculty, and students of more than six educational institutions in India, two of which were finally selected for the purpose of specific and detailed analysis. The analytical framework consists of major concepts, processes, roles, and linkages underlying the institution's philosophy, goals and objectives, staff and student participation, rural people participation, relationship with government agencies including the political apparatus, methodologies including program planning and implementation, integration of functions (research, teaching and community service), and internal organization and administration. Using this framework, the study identifies the major constraints and implications underlying well-meaning university efforts in rural development. New perceptions and insights derived from the analysis are further proposed as generalizations for the benefits of educational planners, researchers, policy makers, university administrators, staff and faculty.
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