Community Engagement in Higher Education Institutions: A joint initiative of the the UNESCO Chair in Community-Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education and the British Council, India

This joint initiative aimed to understand and enhance community engagement across Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), while fostering greater awareness of their public responsibility. The project spanned four states—Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, and Karnataka—in partnership with Punjab University, North Bengal University, IIT-Guwahati, and Jain University.

Through a combination of surveys and in-depth interviews, the project mapped existing engagement practices, explored institutional attitudes, and identified both challenges and opportunities. State-level dialogues convened academics, students, civil society actors, and community leaders to share insights, showcase innovations, and outline actionable pathways for embedding community engagement in institutional structures.

Reports from each state are available below to learn more-