Impacts of Urban Institutions of Higher Education on the Community: A Social Approach

Year 2019, Volume: 19 Issue: 80, 39 - 58, 15.02.2019

Bui Phu Hung

Abstract

Purpose: This
study aimed to investigate the effects of urban institutions of higher
education on social sustainability of the community. Three
urban colleges in Vietnam were involved in this study. 

Methods: Questionnaires
and interviews were administered to 120 local residents and 1470 students and
college employees (office and teaching staff) living in the nearby communities.
In the interviews, the researcher made efforts to explore in-depth information
by providing prompts in order to confirm, interpret and supplement the
quantitative data collected from the questionnaires.

Findings: All participants responded that the colleges
contributed greatly to the social equity through rentals, food consumption, and
other services available. However, though some local residents took a positive
view of social diversity, others were conservative. The social cohesions took
place in the community where its members were willing to welcome new cultures.
Most local residents were not confident about community security when there were many new members. Noise and traffic also
caused much concern to local residents.

Implications
for Research and Practice: It is
suggested that local residents should distribute equital gains to physically and financially challenged people in
the community. Other implications were given to researchers, policy makers,
community members, and student tenants living around college.
Further studies can take a holistic approach to
sustainable development as a result of the effects of educational institutions.
Researchers may also take into account more educational
institutions of higher education in other contexts.

 

Keywords

Social sustainability, higher education, impacts, community, educational institutions

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