Community Based Participatory Research: A Ladder of Opportunity for Engaged Scholarship in Higher Education

Higher Education the world over is recognized as a driver of development in knowledge based economy. It believed that benefits economy through formation human capital and building base contributes to solving problems society. However, voices frustration about graduates being unable relate theory practice different contexts raises questions quality teaching learning Institutions (HEI). Some reports have shown seem leave HEI’ s disengaged, ill equipped, apply acquired university real problems. In addition, even though mission inclusive engagement among others, community priority seems be emphasized only on part faculty members less so students. This result curriculum mainly promotes classroom ivory tower mentality HEI, which places periphery data production. conceptual paper argues order for HEI’s produce graduates, who are innovative active citizens, transformative scholarship moves beyond “classroom-based theory” necessary, more especially students applied fields study such development. Borrowing from Nyerere’s educational philosophy, this posits Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), with its collaborative inquiry, social action service learning, may provide basis engaged higher education study. Thus, by exploring concepts CBPR nuances exist between them, seeks underscore importance how it can contribute