The Power of Relationships: A Qualitative Study of a University-Community Partnership Model in Higher Education

Abstract

Meaningful university-community partnerships (UCPs) can contribute in transforming stereotypes, and promoting collaboration and social learning for students and community members. However, preparing students in higher education to engage in their civic responsibility through UCP-based pedagogy is difficult. This paper illustrates and critically analyses a UCP model practised in an informal curriculum programme at a residential college in a Southeast Asian university to promote holistic learning through community engagement. Engaging with different communities in unique ways is achieved through the UCP, partnerships that were established with institutions and organisations that work with marginalised and vulnerable groups like migrant workers, elderly, youth-at-risk, and more. Grounded in empirical evidence obtained from 31 in-depth interviews and five focus group discussions with students, and eight in-depth interviews with community partners, this paper systematically analyses the affordances of the College UCP model. Findings reveal how collaboration and reciprocity can result in positive outcomes like relationship building and lifelong learning for students in higher education.