Developing a Model for University-Community Engagement based on Social Responsibility Approach in Agricultural Higher Education

The purpose of this research was to develop a model for university–community engagement based on social responsibility approach in agricultural higher education. Causal layered analysis was used to draw different layers of university–community engagement model. A qualitative phenomenological method was used to extract indicators for each layer.  The Nvivo10 QSR software was used for data analysis to classify qualitative data and coding themes emerging from interviews. The main result of this research was the codification of a multilayer model of university-community engagement, including; (1) litany layer, containing two subcategory :(a) the subcategory of drivers (inside and outside domains) and (b): the subcategory of readiness (structural, content and context); (2) social causes layer, including two subcategory: (a) subcategory of social responsibility values (including: legal, ethical, social, environmental and humanitarian dimensions) and (b) subcategory of university and community engagement mechanisms (including: educational, extension, research and technology, entrepreneurial, and developmental engagement mechanisms); (3) discourse layer named achievements  for university with dimension organizational development and institutional sustainability-personal and professional empowerment, and (4)  metaphor and myth layer named outcome for society with economic sustainability, social sustainability and environmental sustainability dimensions.