Policy Title – Policy on Community Services/Outreach and Industry Linkage/Engagement
Policy Number – 03
Functional Area – Academic/Administration/Research
Effective Date – 08.11.2018
Approving Authority – The Council, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Administrative Responsibility – Vice Chancellor
Rationale and Purpose –
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJP) wants to preserve, create and disseminate knowledge and conserve and develop scientific, technological and cultural heritage through quality and relevant teaching and research; to create a conducive working and learning environment; and to work with government and private sectors for the betterment of society.
Policy Scope –
This Policy applies to all academic staff, students and other stakeholders, in order to;
a) Support the academics, students and other professionals in extending Knowledge to the community
b) Spearhead the role of the university within its mandate to disseminate knowledge and information
c) Have consultancy/extension services within USJP aimed at achieving academic excellence
Policy Statement –
a)Being a National university, USJP extends knowledge, information and resources to professionals, industries and the community within the country and the region
b) USJP shall develop, conduct and continue demand driven education/ awareness programmes aimed at empowering relevant stakeholders
c) USJP shall increase uptake of content, innovations and technologies developed by the University and other stakeholders in order to improve productivity
d) USJP shall improve coordination of outreach activities in order to ensure holistic and participatory implementation.
e) USJP shall promote mutual collaboration, partnership and networking with local and international stakeholders in order to ensure synergy.
f) USJP shall strengthen and provide quality facilities and services for efficient and effective delivery of outreach activities.
g) USJP shall institutionalize and continuously mobilize resources for outreach activities.
h) There is a standing committee to spearhead policy changes and to set goals and targets continuously for outreach services to remain focused.
i) An environment is created and enabled for outreach of knowledge to be maintained throughout each year.
Definitions –
Community: Specific structured and non-structured collective interest groups conjoined in their search for sustainable solutions of their needs and challenges. Some of these groups may be unable to identify their needs, and the community may participate or could potentially participate as partners in addressing their needs and challenges.
Continuing education: A term used mostly for non-credit instructions, typically professionally oriented short courses, workshops, seminars and conferences often awarding certificates to qualified participants.
Extension: In this policy, extension means interactive sharing of research-based knowledge, information, technologies and innovations with individuals, groups, communities or organizations for purposes of improving work efficiency, productivity, incomes and living standards.
Outreach: An activity of providing services to any populations outside the university who might not otherwise have access to those services. In this policy, outreach means a community service using knowledge, technology, products or services by the University. Outreach increases availability and utilization of services and knowledge through intervention and interaction with a society.
Policy: A deliberate system of principles to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes.
Stakeholders: An individual, a group of people, an institution or an organization that has interest or shares common values with the university or who can influence the implementation of its decisions.
Technology: The creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society and the environment, to solve a problem, improve a pre-existing solution to a problem, achieve a goal, handle an applied input/output relation or perform a specific function.
Key words –
Outreach Policy, dissemination, technology