ACES Virtual Coffee Hour

How can higher education and research institutions contribute meaningfully to addressing complex societal challenges? This question formed the focus of a recent presentation by Dr. Rajesh Tandon at the Virtual Coffee Hour hosted by the Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship (ACES).

Drawing upon PRIA’s decades of experience in participatory research and knowledge democracy, Dr. Tandon highlighted the growing recognition of community engagement as a core academic function. Moving beyond traditional outreach and service activities, community engagement enables universities and communities to collaborate to generate knowledge, address local challenges, and strengthen democratic participation.

A key theme of the presentation was Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and its role in fostering equitable and mutually beneficial partnerships between higher education institutions and communities. Dr. Tandon emphasised that CBPR recognises communities as knowledge holders and co-creators, creating opportunities for reciprocal learning, shared decision-making, and collaborative action. Such approaches contribute to research that is more relevant, ethical, and responsive to societal needs.

The presentation also examined recent developments in India’s higher education landscape, including the National Education Policy (2020) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) Guidelines on Fostering Social Responsibility in Higher Education. These policy frameworks encourage stronger engagement between universities and communities and promote socially responsive teaching and research.

In this context, Dr. Tandon shared insights from the Faculty Development Programmes on Community-Based Participatory Research being implemented by PRIA in partnership with the UGC. These programmes aim to strengthen faculty capacities for participatory research, support the development of community-responsive curricula, and generate actionable solutions to local challenges.

Reflecting on the global relevance of these efforts, Dr. Tandon underscored the importance of ethical community engagement in enhancing the public value of higher education. He further highlighted the principles of knowledge democracy, the recognition of diverse knowledge systems, and the need to support linguistic diversity in knowledge creation and dissemination.

The discussion resonated strongly with UNESCO’s vision outlined in Reimagining Our Futures Together, which advocates for education systems that are collaborative, inclusive, participatory, and oriented towards the common good.

Click here to watch the session.